Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing to urge President Donald Trump to consider renewed military action targeting Iran’s ballistic missile program, as Israeli officials warn that Tehran is rebuilding production capacity damaged in earlier strikes.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, Netanyahu is expected to brief Trump on the scope of Iran’s missile rebuilding efforts during a meeting later this month at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, writes NBC News. Israeli officials view the missile issue as more immediate than potential reconstruction of nuclear enrichment sites, citing efforts to restore manufacturing facilities and air defense systems.
Asked Thursday about a Dec. 29 meeting with Netanyahu, Trump told reporters, “We haven’t set it up formally, but he’d like to see me.”
The Israeli assessment follows earlier U.S. and allied actions against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. “The International Atomic Energy Agency and Iranian government corroborated the United States government’s assessment that Operation Midnight Hammer totally obliterated Iran’s nuclear capabilities,” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement. “As President Trump has said, if Iran pursued a nuclear weapon, that site would be attacked and would be wiped out before they even got close.”
The United States crippled Iran’s nuclear abilities in June, striking three sites inside the country.
Israeli officials contend that while nuclear reconstruction would be complex and time-consuming, Iran’s missile program poses a nearer-term danger. “The nuclear weapons program is very concerning. There’s an attempt to reconstitute. It’s not that immediate,” one person with direct knowledge of Israel’s plans said.
Trump echoed that assessment while underscoring U.S. resolve. “But if they do want to come back without a deal, then we’re going to obliterate that one, too,” Trump said. “You know, we can knock out their missiles very quickly, we have great power.”
Before earlier strikes, Israeli officials presented Trump with four operational paths during Oval Office discussions: Israel acting alone, limited U.S. support, joint operations, or the United States carrying out the action independently. Sources say a similar menu of options could be placed before the president again at Mar-a-Lago.
The prospective talks come as Israel and Hamas navigate a fragile ceasefire in Gaza, with both Netanyahu and Trump expected to address next-phase issues, including Israeli withdrawal and the possible deployment of an international force.
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