FLASH NEWS
What did Trump ask of "Bibi"? What happened behind the scenes before the US attack on Iran is revealed
2025-06-22 21:55:35 / BOTA
At the request of Donald Trump's military administration, the Israeli Air Force destroyed several Iranian air defense systems in the 48 hours before the US attack on the Fordow nuclear facility, three American and Israeli officials told Axios.
Trump's historic decision to join Israel's fight against Iran is the culmination of months of intense, at times tense, cooperation between the US and Israel over Tehran's nuclear program.
This partnership reached its peak in the final hours before the attack, when Israel played a direct role in enabling the American military operation.
"I want to thank and congratulate Prime Minister Bibi [Benjamin] Netanyahu. We worked as a team, perhaps like no other team before, and we have made great strides in eliminating this terrible threat to Israel," Trump said in an address to the nation on Saturday, after the announcement of the unprecedented attacks.
What happened behind the scenes?
Trump's request was made directly to Netanyahu last week, after the president decided to act with a military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities unless some unexpected diplomatic opportunity arose.
"How can we help?" Netanyahu asked, according to Israeli officials reported by Axios.
Trump told Netanyahu that he wanted the Israeli Air Force to eliminate as many Iranian air defense systems in southern Iran as possible, to clear the way for American B-2 stealth bombers.
The US then gave Israel a list of systems it wanted destroyed before the attack, according to Axios.
On Thursday, Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz held a phone call with US Vice President JD Vance and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to continue coordination.
"They made it clear to us in that call that they would continue with the operation," an Israeli official said.
"In the 48 hours before the American operation, the Israel Defense Forces carried out several strikes in the area to damage Iranian defenses," he added.
The Israeli strikes, focused on southern Iran, were intended to minimize the risk to American B-2 bombers en route to Fordow, a nuclear facility located deep underground, which the Pentagon struck with 13,600-kilogram penetrating bombs.
What did officials tell Axios?
"We did not push the US into the war. We were careful not to give the impression that we were dragging them into the war. But fortunately for us, God hardened the heart of Pharaoh [Iran's supreme leader]. Khamenei, he acted like an idiot and rejected every offer from the US," an Israeli official told Axios.
Shortly after the B-2 bombers began their return to the US, Trump called Netanyahu to inform him of the attack, according to US and Israeli officials.
Trump told Netanyahu that with the destruction of Iranian nuclear facilities, his next goal is to reach a deal with Tehran and secure peace.
"The president does not want to continue with attacks on Iran. He is prepared to act if Iran retaliates against American forces, but he has told Netanyahu that he wants peace," a US official said.
An Israeli official confirmed this message from Trump, adding: “We still don’t know how Iran will react — and that could change everything.”
"But the Americans have made it clear to us that they want to end this round. They don't mind if we continue our strikes, but for them, this story is over," the official said, according to Axios.
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