Donald Trump signals support for Israeli action if diplomacy with Iran breaks down: Report

US President Donald Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in December that he would back Israeli strikes on Iran’s ballistic missile programme if talks between Washington and Tehran fail, according to a US media report. The conversation reportedly took place at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, even as diplomatic efforts with Iran were being revived.

The disclosure lands at a sensitive moment. A second round of US-Iran nuclear talks is scheduled in Geneva on Tuesday, following what both sides described as a cautious but inconclusive opening round in Oman earlier this month. Trump’s reported stance suggests that while diplomacy is underway, the military option remains on the table.

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Military contingency reportedly discussed behind the scenes

A CBS News report, cited by IANS, said Trump conveyed to Netanyahu that he would back Israeli military action targeting Iran’s missile infrastructure if talks break down.

The report also said US military and intelligence officials have explored how Washington could assist Israel in such an operation. Among the possibilities discussed were aerial refuelling support for Israeli aircraft and diplomatic efforts to secure overflight clearances from regional countries, Xinhua reported, quoting the same account.

However, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates have made it clear they would not allow their airspace to be used for attacks on Iran, or by Iran to strike elsewhere.

Neither the Pentagon nor the White House has issued public comment on the reported discussions.

Diplomacy and deterrence running in parallel

Even as the report surfaced, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said during a visit to Slovakia on Sunday that he preferred resolving tensions with Iran through diplomatic channels.

The next round of negotiations is due on Tuesday in Geneva. Rubio confirmed that US envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner will represent Washington.

The talks follow an initial meeting in Muscat, Oman, on February 6. While both sides described that exchange as a “good start”, it produced no visible breakthrough.

Iran prepares delegation for Geneva

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi travelled to Geneva on Sunday to lead what Tehran described as a “diplomatic and specialised” delegation.

According to a Foreign Ministry statement, Araghchi is expected to meet Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi and Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi.

Officials on both sides have outlined differing expectations from any potential agreement, underscoring the fragile footing of the renewed talks.

For now, the diplomatic track continues. But the reported exchange between Trump and Netanyahu indicates that contingency planning is not far from the conversation.