Israel signals impatience with US deadline on Iran action: Report

Israeli officials have reportedly informed the Trump administration they may act against Iran before a two-week deadline set by the US president expires.

• According to two sources familiar with the exchange speaking to Reuters, senior Israeli figures conveyed their stance during a tense phone call with US counterparts on Thursday.

• The Israeli delegation on the call included Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Israel Katz, and military chief Eyal Zamir, said a security source.

• Israel is concerned about delays in targeting the Fordow nuclear facility — a heavily fortified site buried within a mountain and regarded as the heart of Iran’s uranium enrichment programme.

• US officials have been debating whether Washington should support or join an Israeli operation. The US military is the only force with bombs powerful enough to strike the deeply embedded Fordow site.

• Reuters reported that B-2 stealth bombers capable of carrying 30,000-pound bunker busters have been deployed to Guam, a move that may signal US readiness to intervene.

• A Washington-based source said Israel has warned that waiting two more weeks is too risky, though it is unclear if this position was shared during the high-level call.