by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – U.S. intelligence agencies determined that Israel might be planning major attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities this year, seeking to capitalize on Iran’s vulnerabilities, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Recent U.S. intelligence reports indicate that Israel may seek Trump’s support for strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, seeing him as a more favorable ally than former President Biden to stop Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, according to officials familiar with the intelligence told the WSJ.
U.S. military officials say that given the complexity of Iran’s heavily fortified nuclear sites, U.S. military support and munitions would likely be required for an Israeli attack.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office did not reply to requests for comment, and Israel’s military also declined to comment. However, Israeli officials have consistently indicated that there is an opportunity for more aggressive action against Iran.
In December, U.S. intelligence issued a stark warning that Iran might pursue nuclear weapons development. Iran has accumulated a significant stockpile of highly enriched uranium and is reportedly finalizing technical preparations for a bomb, pending a political decision to proceed.
Analysts observe that Iran is at its weakest in decades after Israel effectively targeted Hezbollah’s leadership and arsenal over the past year, weakening a crucial Iranian ally and removing the deterrent against Israeli actions on Iran. Moreover, the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria has deprived Iran of a significant ally and regional stronghold, disrupting supply chains and the flow of funds to its terrorist proxy in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Iran’s currency is collapsing, and its leaders are grappling with an economic crisis fueled by mismanagement, corruption, and severe sanctions. This has left the country in a weakened state amid mounting international pressure.
The possibility of Iran becoming a nuclear power is a concern for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Jewish State.
Iran continues to advance its nuclear ambitions; earlier this month, it unveiled a nuclear-capable ballistic missile with a range of 1,700 kilometers (1,056 miles), putting Israel within striking distance of the Islamic Republic.
While the West often views Iran’s nuclear program through a secular lens, the spiritual aspect, which plays a central role in driving Iran’s nuclear ambitions, should not be overlooked. Iran is the only country where Twelver Shi’ism is the state religion.
Twelver Shīʿism, the largest branch of Shīʿa Islam, makes up about 85% of Shīʿas. “Twelver” signifies belief in twelve divinely appointed leaders, the Twelve Imams, with the last, Imam al-Mahdi, expected to return as the Mahdi. Twelvers see the Imams as Muhammad’s spiritual and political successors, guiding with justice and interpreting Islamic law and the Qur’an’s inner meanings. They are viewed as infallible (Ismah) and divinely chosen (nass).
The Twelvers believe that the Mahdi is expected to appear in times of extreme chaos, returning alongside Jesus as a messiah to bring peace and establish Islam globally.
Twelver beliefs, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and threats toward Israel and the West have raised concerns. Critics suggest that Iran’s Supreme Leader might incite conflict to hasten the 12th Imam’s arrival. Former Iranian President Ahmadinejad has even called for the Imam’s return at the UN, asserting that the Islamic Revolution’s primary goal is to prepare for his reappearance.
Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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