Three regional sources told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday that progress has been made in recent efforts to formulate a “memorandum of understanding and principles” between the US and Iran, though significant gaps remain.
According to the sources, the talks have focused on outlining a framework that could enable continued negotiations while temporarily reducing tensions between Tehran and Washington. However, Israeli officials assess that even if understandings are reached at the diplomatic level, Iran’s supreme leadership is unlikely to approve concessions.
The prevailing assessment of Israeli officials is that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is expected to reject any compromise perceived as limiting Iran’s strategic nuclear capabilities or regional influence.
At the same time, military coordination between Israel and the United States has continued intensively amid the possibility that US President Donald Trump could ultimately order military action against Iran if diplomatic efforts collapse.
Israel believes strikes on Iran are 'if' not a 'when'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held another conversation with Trump on Tuesday, according to two officials familiar with the matter.
Netanyahu also continued on Wednesday with discussions with the defense echelon. Parallel discussions are also continuing between senior Israeli IDF officials, including Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, and US Central Command, including Admiral Brad Cooper, regarding operational preparedness and planning if the US president gives the 'green light'.
Israeli officials stressed that despite ongoing diplomatic contacts, the military option “remains on the table” for Trump. “We still think that the question regarding a strike is 'if' and not 'when,' but Trump holds the cards,” one official said.