Washington (Reuters) -US President Donald Trump blocked an Israeli strike planned for Iranian nuclear sites in favor of negotiating an agreement with Iran to limit its nuclear program, the New York Times reported on Wednesday, citing administration officials and others.
Israel had developed plans to attack the sites in May, according to the newspaper, which added that the objective was to withdraw Iran's capacity to develop a nuclear weapon of one or more.
The New York Times said that help in the United States was necessary not only to defend Israel against Iranian reprisals, but also to make sure that the attack succeeded.
After months of internal debate, Trump made the decision to ask for negotiations with Iran rather than supporting military action.
The United States and Iran had talks in Oman last Saturday-the first time during a Trump administration, including its first 2017-2021 mandate. The two countries have described talks as “positive” and “constructive”.
A second round is scheduled for Saturday and an informed source of planning said that the meeting should take place in Rome.
(Report by Jasper Ward; edition by Sonali Paul)
