Israel seeks US assistance to strike Iran's Fordow nuclear facility amid firepower limitations
Live Events
(You can now subscribe to our
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel
Israeli officials have requested US military involvement to help destroy Iran's deeply buried Fordow nuclear facility, citing a lack of required firepower to achieve their operational goals. The request was made within the last 48 hours, according to two Israeli officials, as Israel intensifies its military operations against Iran.The Fordow uranium enrichment site, a key component of Iran's nuclear infrastructure, is located inside a mountain, making it resistant to conventional airstrikes. Israel does not possess the large bomber aircraft or advanced bunker buster munitions needed to eliminate the facility. These assets, however, are within reach for US forces stationed in the region.Also read: Iran-Israel conflict: How secret friends turned bitter enemies Despite the urgency of Israel's request, the Trump administration has so far refrained from participating in the conflict. US officials have indicated that direct engagement, even a limited strike on Fordow, would effectively draw the United States into a broader war with Iran.A second US official confirmed Saturday, June 14, that Israel has urged the Trump administration to consider joining the campaign, but noted that no decision to engage has been made.An Israeli official told Axios that President Trump had signaled willingness to support the operation in a recent conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, a White House official disputed that claim on Friday, June 13, stating that there is no current plan for US involvement in the ongoing military action.A senior White House official, speaking to Axios on Saturday, emphasized the administration's preference for diplomacy. 'Whatever happens today cannot be prevented,' the official said, referencing Israel's strikes. 'But we have the ability to negotiate a successful peaceful resolution to this conflict if Iran is willing. The fastest way for Iran to accomplish peace is to give up its nuclear weapons program.'Also read: Dow Jones falls 400 points as Israel-Iran conflict hits risk appetite; oil, defence stocks rise Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter told Fox News on Friday, 'The entire operation... really has to be completed with the elimination of Fordow.'Israeli sources said the topic of US participation in targeting Fordow has been repeatedly raised in discussions with American counterparts since the start of the operation.Israel's firepower limitations drive request for US involvementThe failure to destroy Fordow would compromise Israel's objective of halting Iran's nuclear program. Israeli officials argue that the operation must be completed to ensure long-term security and nonproliferation goals.An Israeli source told Axios that while the United States has yet to approve direct involvement, Israel remains hopeful that the Trump administration will agree to assist in the mission.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
36 minutes ago
- India Today
224 killed since Israel attacks began, over 90% civilians: Iran's health ministry
Iran's health ministry reported on Sunday that 224 people have been killed since Israel started its attacks on Friday. Spokesman Hossein Kermanpour said on social media that 1,277 others were hospitalised. He stressed that over 90% of the casualties were situation between the two nations escalated when Israel launched airstrikes targeting Iran's nuclear and military sites. These attacks killed several top generals and nuclear scientists. Both countries have shown no sign of stopping, raising fears of a long General Mohammad Kazemi, the intelligence chief of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and his deputy, General Hassan Mohaqiq, have been killed in Israeli airstrike on Tehran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed in an interview with Fox News. Israel says 14 people have been killed and 390 injured within its borders since the attacks began. According to news agency Reuters, Iran has fired over 270 missiles at Israel, some of which struck buildings despite Israel's air AND IRAN ISSUE WARNINGSIsrael warned Iranians living near weapons factories to leave immediately. Meanwhile, Iran's military warned Israelis not to stay near "occupied" Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said from Bat Yam, where six people died in a missile strike, "Iran will pay a heavy price for the murder of civilians, women and children."advertisementThe Israeli airstrikes have hit not only military sites but also Iranian oil refineries. Iran's Foreign Ministry building was also struck, injuring several employees, including government President Masoud Pezeshkian blamed the United States for supporting Israel and warned that if Israel's "hostile actions" continue, Iran's response "will be more decisive and severe."Israel claims its attacks aim to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons. However, Iran denies the claims, saying its nuclear program is peaceful. Netanyahu said in a Fox News interview that regime change in Iran "could certainly be the result" of the conflict. He also alleged that Iran planned to give nuclear weapons to its allies in inputs from Associated PressTune InMust Watch
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
39 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Travel industry in turbulence amid worsening West Asia situation
With the Iran-Israel conflict escalating, travel planning is becoming more complex as airspace closures over Pakistan, Iran, and Israel are leading to longer flight routes, especially for Europe-bound travellers. Schedules could be altered at short notice depending on the Notices to Airmen or NOTAMs issued by the governments of Iran, Israel, Jordan, Syria and Iraq. Industry executives said closure of airspaces leading to longer routes and flight times has already led to a hike in air fares on some routes, which will impact travel demand for West bound flights as airlines will have to take more circuitous routes to avoid conflict zones. Schedules overall could be impacted on account of deployment or redeployment of aircraft. 'The Iran-Israel hostilities and the closure of airspaces leading to longer routes/flight times is bound to impact fares. One can already see a 12-15 per cent hike on some sectors,' said Ajay Prakash, vice-president at Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality. Temporary airspace restrictions due to the ongoing tensions in West Asia have led to longer flight routes by nearly 2-4 hours and leading to an excess in airline operational cost, said Sabina Chopra, chief operating officer and cofounder, at Yatra Online Ltd. 'Flight fares are shaped by several factors; fuel prices, demand, operational shifts among them. Rerouted paths have led to an increase of 15-20 per cent in some of these routes,' she said. IndiGo Airlines issued a travel advisory on Sunday, 'Due to the ongoing airspace restrictions, flight routes to and from the Gulf are experiencing congestion, which may result in delays on certain sectors. As we continue to operate via alternate paths, extended travel times may be expected.' Air India had issued a similar advisory on Friday where it diverted more than a dozen flights en route to London, New York, Sharjah, Delhi, Frankfurt, Chicago, Washington and Toronto, while several flights returned to their origin ports. Airlines are already avoiding Pakistan's airspace following the India - Pakistan conflict last month. 'Flight fares to Western destinations have increased by 15–25 per cent on key routes due to the Pakistan airspace closure. If similar restrictions continue in Iranian and Israeli airspace, a comparable rise is expected due to longer detours and higher fuel consumption,' said Ravi Gosain, president, Indian Association of Tour Operators. Flight disruptions from geopolitical situations and the recent crash of the Air India flight have created anxiety among flyers. Industry executives noted that while some rescheduling requests were coming in, flyers were also keen to know the kind of aircraft being used for their travel. 'After the Air India accident, safety is a growing concern. Travelers are increasingly inquiring about aircraft types after the Dreamliner incident. While we don't currently display aircraft type during booking, we're evaluating this feature to support transparency and peace of mind for our clients,' Gosain said. Travel portals and tour operators are also evaluating ways to disclose the type of aircraft in use for consumers while they make their bookings for international travel. 'Safety is understandably top-of-mind for travellers. Incidents like the recent Dreamliner crash have raised awareness about aircraft types and airline safety records. already displays detailed flight information, including aircraft model and carrier (where available) and we are working on making this data even more prominent in the booking flow,' Chopra said.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
40 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Govt must review energy risk scenarios due to Iran-Israel war: GTRI
With the Israel-Iran conflict intensifying, the government must urgently review energy risk scenarios, diversify crude sourcing, and ensure strategic reserves are sufficient, think tank GTRI said on Sunday. Due to the war, India is increasingly at risk of collateral economic fallout, with energy security, trade routes, and key commercial interests facing growing uncertainty, the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said. "The escalating hostilities and rising regional tensions are posing direct threats to India's strategic and economic links with West Asia," GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava said, adding India has significant trade exposure to both warring nations. In 2024-25, India exported goods worth USD 1.24 billion to Iran and imported USD 441.9 million in return. Trade with Israel was even more substantial, with USD 2.15 billion in exports and USD 1.61 billion in imports. "But more critical than these bilateral flows is India's reliance on the region for energy: nearly two-thirds of its crude oil and half of its LNG imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has now threatened to close," he said. This narrow waterway, only 21 miles wide at its narrowest point, handles nearly a fifth of global oil trade and is indispensable to India, which depends on imports for over 80 per cent of its energy needs. He said that any closure or military disruption in the Strait of Hormuz would sharply increase oil prices, shipping costs, and insurance premiums, triggering inflation, pressuring the rupee, and complicating India's fiscal management. The risks became even more immediate on June 15, when Iran fired missiles at Israel's Haifa port -- a facility handling over 30 per cent of Israeli imports and 70 per cent owned by India's Adani Ports, Srivastava said. Initial reports indicate damage to port infrastructure and nearby refineries, raising fears of disrupted logistics and a spillover of conflict into Indian commercial operations, he said. Meanwhile, Israel's June 14-15 strike on Houthi military leadership in Yemen has heightened tensions in the Red Sea region, where Houthi forces have already attacked commercial shipping. "For India, this poses another serious risk. Nearly 30 per cent of India's westbound exports to Europe, North Africa, and the US East Coast travel through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, now vulnerable to further disruption," he noted. He said that if shipping must be rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope, transit times could rise by up to two weeks, and costs could soar. This would directly impact Indian exports of engineering goods, textiles, and chemicals, while also raising input costs for key imports, he added. "India, though not a party to the conflict, cannot afford complacency. The government must urgently review energy risk scenarios, diversify crude sourcing, and ensure strategic reserves are sufficient," he said.
