Israel, US prepared for possible strike on Iran over weekend; Trump held off

Israel and the US were prepared over the weekend for a possible US strike on Iran, but President Donald Trump did not order the operation, giving several days for diplomatic efforts. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security discussion on Friday.

Over the weekend, Israel was prepared for the possibility that US President Donald Trump would order an attack on Iran, according to a report Sunday evening by i24NEWS diplomatic correspondent Amichai Stein. Meanwhile, the US military was ready to receive an order from the president to carry out an attack, but such an order was not given. On Friday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a discussion with the top defense officials. According to two sources, Trump gave Vice President JD Vance and other senior administration officials 'a few days' to exhaust the diplomatic track with Iran. Earlier Sunday, Trump told the BBC that there is a very low likelihood he would return to attack Iran if Tehran moves toward a nuclear deal and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. 'It depends on whether they sign a very strong deal or not,' Trump said, adding, 'I will do it if necessary, but we are hitting them really hard.' He warned that US military forces are ready to strike: 'I have three aircraft carriers here, they are fully ready.'