Israel-Iran conflict could lead to new nuclear agreement, analysts say

In a recent series of strikes between Israel and Iran, the United States played a crucial role in assisting Israel in intercepting Iranian missile barrages. Fox News reporters Alex Hogan and Mark Meredith covered the strikes and reactions from the United States. Heritage Foundation senior fellow Brent Sadler provided analysis on the future of Iran’s nuclear program.

According to Israeli military officials, the operation in Iran was carried out by Israeli forces in coordination with the United States. While U.S. troops did not directly participate in the attack, defense cooperation continued throughout the strike. During Iran’s retaliation on Friday, U.S. forces helped intercept Iranian missile attacks on Tel Aviv.

Avner Golov, vice president of Mind Israel, emphasized that Israel is a responsible ally that delivers strategic value with minimal support. He stated that Israel’s precision strike on Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure was effective and disciplined, and that Israel does not want to drag the U.S. into a prolonged war.

Robert Greenway, director of the Allison Center for National Security at The Heritage Foundation, highlighted the President’s preference for a diplomatic solution and the opportunity for the U.S. to pressure Iran towards a nuclear agreement. He mentioned that the U.S. assets would become a participant if attacked, which Iran would not be able to handle.

Israeli analyst Nadav Eyal explained that the operation reflected a deliberate strategy of applying military pressure by Israel, while positioning the U.S. to extract diplomatic gains. The media coverage ahead of the attack may have been intentionally misleading as part of a broader psychological operation to confuse Iran’s leadership about the timing and scope of the strike.

Avner Golov noted that the strike was part of a broader Israeli campaign to neutralize threats from Hamas in Gaza, Iran’s proxy network, and Iran’s nuclear program. He urged the U.S. to step in and deliver a message that escalation will trigger American consequences.

Greenway emphasized the importance of a political event following the military victory, ideally driving Iran back to the negotiating table. He suggested that each strike weakens Iran’s capacity to resist, increasing the likelihood of them choosing to negotiate.

The involvement of U.S. forces in intercepting Iranian missile attacks demonstrated American commitment without triggering escalation. Greenway highlighted that this was a window of opportunity from a military standpoint to do as much damage to Iran’s nuclear program and offensive capabilities as possible.

Overall, the U.S. has an opportunity to pressure Iran towards a revised nuclear deal that prevents Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons. With optimized numbers favoring the U.S., there is a chance for Iran to agree to the American proposal sooner rather than later. The recent events have created a strategic window for the Trump administration to push for a diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Efrat Lachter, an investigative reporter and war correspondent, covered the strikes and reactions, emphasizing the significance of U.S. assistance in intercepting Iranian missile barrages. Her work has taken her to numerous countries, and she is a recipient of the 2024 Knight-Wallace Fellowship for Journalism.

This detailed article highlights the collaboration between Israel and the United States in addressing the threat posed by Iran and the potential for diplomatic progress in resolving the nuclear issue.