Fact Check: Israel assured the White House that it would not attack Iran's nuclear facilities unless President Trump indicates that negotiations with Iran have failed.

Fact Check: "Israel assured the White House that it would not attack Iran's nuclear facilities unless President Trump indicates that negotiations with Iran have failed."

What We Know

Recent reports indicate that Israeli officials communicated to the White House that Israel would refrain from attacking Iran's nuclear facilities unless U.S. President Donald Trump signaled that negotiations with Iran had failed (source-6, source-7). This assurance appears to be part of ongoing discussions regarding Iran's nuclear program, which has been a contentious issue in U.S.-Israel relations. The context suggests that Israel is seeking to coordinate its military strategy with U.S. diplomatic efforts, emphasizing the importance of negotiations over military action at this stage (source-8).

Analysis

The claim that Israel assured the White House of its restraint regarding military action against Iran is supported by multiple credible sources. The Jerusalem Post and Times of Israel both report similar statements from Israeli officials, indicating a clear communication line between Israel and the U.S. regarding the potential for military action based on the status of negotiations with Iran.

However, it is essential to consider the reliability of these sources. The Jerusalem Post is known for its pro-Israel stance, which may influence its framing of events. Conversely, the Times of Israel is generally regarded as a reputable news outlet, providing balanced coverage of Israeli affairs. Additionally, Axios is recognized for its straightforward reporting style, which lends credibility to its claims (source-8).

While the reports align on the core claim, the nuances of the situation—such as the specific conditions under which Israel would act—are less clear. The reports do not provide direct quotes from Trump or definitive statements from Israeli leadership, which could further clarify the context and intentions behind the assurance.

Conclusion

Needs Research. While there is substantial reporting from credible sources that supports the claim that Israel assured the White House it would not attack Iran's nuclear facilities unless negotiations failed, the lack of direct quotes and the potential bias of some sources necessitate further investigation. Additional context regarding the nature of the negotiations and the specific assurances given would provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.

Sources

1. Israel - The World Factbook
2. Israel - Wikipedia
3. 'We knew everything,' Trump tells Reuters about Israel's ...
4. Israel country profile - BBC News
5. Trump Acknowledges Israel Could Attack Iran Soon
6. Israel won't attack Iran nuclear facilities unless US negotiations fail ...
7. Report: Israel told US it won't attack Iranian nuclear sites unless ...
8. Israel assured U.S. it won't strike Iran unless talks fail