Israel has been threatening a preemptive military strike on Iran as the Trump administration tries to negotiate a nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic.
But current and former US and Israeli officials say the Israeli bluff is becoming stale and that Trump has effectively boxed Netanyahu into towing his line as talks continue.
On one hand, current and former US officials say there is little the US can do to prevent Israel from unilaterally bombing Iran if it chooses to do so.
Unlike other American partners, Israel is less dependent on American intelligence for such an operation, especially in Iran, where it has operated for decades, assassinating scientists and senior officials.
One senior US official, speaking to Middle East Eye on the condition of anonymity, said that the Trump administration has been impressed by plans Israel shared with it that lay out unilateral strikes against Iran’s nuclear programme without American direct involvement.
