TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Israel is preparing to launch another military attack on Iran if the country attempts to reactivate its nuclear program. According to the Times of Israel on Monday, July 7, 2025, Israel believes the United States would authorize such action under specific conditions, particularly if Tehran begins reconstructing its nuclear facilities or moving its underground uranium stockpile.
This belief was conveyed by Israel's Minister of Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer, after a series of meetings with several high-ranking U.S. officials in Washington last week. Dermer met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and U.S. envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.
Following these meetings, Dermer informed Israeli officials that the White House would support further attacks if Iran re-enriches uranium or attempts to move nuclear materials from locations previously bombed by the U.S.
Previous Attack Targets and Uranium Status
In last month's joint attack, the U.S. used bunker-busting bombs to strike three main nuclear sites in Iran: Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow. The attack targeted underground facilities believed to store approximately 400 kilograms of uranium already enriched to 60 percent, just a step away from weapons-grade material.
However, experts and Israeli officials estimate that the uranium had been moved before the attack occurred. The U.S. government denied these claims, asserting that the uranium stockpile was indeed destroyed. Following the attack, the U.S. also brokered a ceasefire that ended a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel.
Trump and Netanyahu Discuss Future Actions
On Monday evening, U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a meeting and dinner at the White House. They both praised the attack on Iran's nuclear sites as a successful operation, while acknowledging the risk of renewed conflict if Iran fails to maintain peace.
Netanyahu was also reported to have sought a "green light" from Trump to take future military action against Iran's nuclear activities.
"The goal is to receive a mandate similar to the situation in Lebanon, meaning that if suspicious activity is detected at nuclear sites, or if there's evidence of uranium being removed from the areas that where hit by US and Israeli warplanes, there would already be prior US approval to act against it," an Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post.
Israel Pushes for Sanctions and Monitoring
Israel is also advocating for the establishment of a U.S.-led monitoring mechanism to prevent Iran from rebuilding its nuclear program. Additionally, Israel wants snapback sanctions to be reapplied to Iran for being uncooperative with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
"We want the snapback sanctions mechanism to be imposed on Iran as well, due to its lack of cooperation with the IAEA," a source stated. Last week, IAEA inspectors reportedly left Iran for security reasons, and Iran's President, Masoud Pezeshkian, has signed a law suspending his country's cooperation with the UN nuclear agency.
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