Officials in the United States and Europe have indicated that Israel may be preparing an imminent attack on Iran, according to The New York Times, with Washington initiating the withdrawal of its diplomats from Iraq.
According to The New York Times, any potential attack could several escalate tension across the Middle East and jeopardize ongoing efforts to negotiate a deal aimed at preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
Earlier, a U.S. official told the Reuters news agency that U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff plans to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Oman this Sunday to discuss Tehran’s response to a recent American proposal for a nuclear deal. On Monday, Iran had said it would provide the U.S. with a counter-proposal for a nuclear deal after declaring an earlier offer from Washington “unacceptable.”
Trump has already warned that if Iran does not agree to a deal to limit its uranium enrichment activities, Washington could bomb the state.
Amidst this, a potential Israeli bombing risks derailing the entire process. Washington’s decision to withdraw diplomats from Iraq and authorize the voluntary departure of U.S. military family members from the broader Middle East region has triggered alarm bells of this possibility.