U.S. Officials Say Military Intelligence Discussed Supporting Israeli Airstrikes on Iran
On the 15th local time, a CCTV reporter learned that sources said U.S. President Trump had told Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, if the U.S. cannot reach an agreement with Iran, he would support Israeli airstrikes on Iranian ballistic missile facilities. Two informed sources stated that Trump made this promise during a meeting with Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago in Florida last December.
Additionally, two U.S. officials with knowledge of the matter said, the U.S. military and intelligence leadership have begun discussing the possibility of supporting Israeli airstrikes, focusing not on whether Israel will act, but on how the U.S. can assist the Israeli military in the airstrikes, including providing aerial refueling for Israeli aircraft and ensuring that relevant countries agree to allow U.S. and Israeli military aircraft to fly over their airspace.
It is currently unclear which countries might agree to allow the U.S. to use their airspace for refueling Israeli aircraft. Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have publicly stated that they will not allow their airspace to be used for any attacks on Iran, nor will they allow their airspace to be used for Iranian attacks on other countries. (CCTV reporter Liu Xiaoqian)
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On the afternoon of December 29, 2025, U.S. President Trump met with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.
While answering reporters' questions on-site, Trump threatened that if Iran continues to develop ballistic missiles, he supports striking Iran; if Iran develops nuclear weapons, he supports a rapid strike against Iran. Trump stated that he "heard Iran is trying to rebuild its nuclear facilities," and if that is the case, "we will hit them hard." He also mentioned that Iran "wants to reach an agreement" and "should reach an agreement," "but sometimes things do not go as planned."
U.S. military and intelligence officials are discussing support for Israeli airstrikes on Iran's missile facilities, as President Trump promised Prime Minister Netanyahu assistance if no agreement is reached with Iran. The discussions include air refueling and securing overflight permissions from other countries, although Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have stated they will not permit their airspace to be used for such operations.
- Trump promised Netanyahu support for airstrikes if no agreement with Iran is reached.
- U.S. military and intelligence officials are discussing support for Israeli airstrikes.
- The focus is on how the U.S. can assist Israel, including air refueling and overflight permissions.
- Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and UAE have publicly stated they will not allow their airspace to be used for attacks on Iran.