Israel urges U.S. to join war with Iran to eliminate nuclear program. - AXIOS

Israel urges U.S. to join war with Iran to eliminate nuclear program. - AXIOS

Title: Israel Urges U.S. to Join War with Iran to Eliminate Nuclear Program

In a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Israel has requested that the Trump administration join its war against Iran to eliminate the country's nuclear program. According to two Israeli officials, Israel has been urging the U.S. to participate in the conflict, highlighting the need for U.S. involvement to neutralize Iran's nuclear capabilities [1].

Key Points

1. Israel's Request: Israel has been pushing for U.S. involvement in its military operation against Iran, citing the need for U.S. resources such as bunker buster bombs and large bomber aircraft to effectively target Iran's Fordow uranium enrichment site. This site, built into a mountain and deep underground, poses a significant challenge for Israeli forces [1].

2. U.S. Response: The Trump administration has distanced itself from Israel's operation, arguing that it would be illegitimate for Iran to retaliate by striking U.S. targets. However, an Israeli official claimed that President Trump suggested he might join the operation if necessary in a recent conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A White House official later denied this claim [1].

3. Operation "Rising Lion": Israel launched a series of airstrikes against Iran's nuclear program and military leadership on June 13, 2025. The operation, called "Rising Lion," targeted locations across Tehran and elsewhere in the country, including the Natanz enrichment facility. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the operation would continue until Iran's nuclear threat was eliminated [2].

4. Iran's Retaliation: Iran retaliated by firing drones towards Israel, although most were intercepted. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that at least three people died and dozens were wounded in Israel due to Iran's retaliatory strikes. Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that "Tehran will burn" if Iran continues firing missiles at Israel [3].

5. U.S. Stance: The Trump administration has sought to distance itself from Israel's unilateral actions, stressing that it was not involved in the attack. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Israel's actions as "unilateral" and stated that the U.S. top priority was protecting American forces in the region [2].

Implications

The request from Israel to the U.S. to join the war against Iran has significant geopolitical and economic implications. It could potentially draw the U.S. into a broader conflict in the Middle East, with potential impacts on global oil prices and regional stability. The continued escalation of tensions could also disrupt trade routes and affect global supply chains.

Conclusion

Israel's request for U.S. involvement in its war against Iran highlights the complex and volatile nature of the ongoing conflict. The U.S. administration's cautious response underscores the delicate balance between supporting an ally and avoiding direct involvement in a regional conflict. As the situation evolves, investors and financial professionals should closely monitor developments for potential market impacts.

References

[1] https://www.axios.com/2025/06/14/israel-iran-war-us-nuclear-program-trump
[2] https://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/comments/1lbl9tc/israel_urges_us_to_join_war_with_iran_to/
[3] https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/13/middleeast/israel-attack-iran-nuclear-program-explainer-intl