Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The United States and Israel are developing plans for a new military operation against Iran if diplomatic efforts fail, Axios reported, citing American and Israeli officials. According to the outlet, a potential campaign could begin after the US congressional midterm elections if the parties fail to reach an agreement.
Axios sources said the two allies were considering a week-long operation targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, energy infrastructure and senior members of the country's leadership.
As part of efforts to coordinate their actions, US Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Admiral Brad Cooper met with Israeli military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.
Meanwhile, regional mediators, including Qatar, are continuing efforts to prevent further escalation.
According to Axios, the mediators are seeking to persuade Tehran to allow International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors access to its nuclear facilities in exchange for partial sanctions relief.
Washington is also pursuing diplomatic initiatives aimed at restarting negotiations with Iran.
The Wall Street Journal reported that US Vice President JD Vance had sent a letter to Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, at the direction of President Donald Trump.
According to the newspaper's sources, Vance is seeking to determine whether sufficient common ground exists between Washington and Tehran to continue negotiations and persuade Trump against resuming military operations in the coming weeks.
The letter reportedly contained no specific proposals for a peaceful settlement.
The Wall Street Journal also reported that Vance had privately expressed doubts about the need to continue military operations against Iran, despite publicly supporting military action.
Trump had previously raised the possibility of further strikes against Iran following the US congressional midterm elections.
Diplomatic contacts are therefore continuing alongside media reports that Washington and Israel are preparing a potential military response should negotiations fail.
In mid-June, the United States and Iran signed a memorandum intended to serve as the starting point for a peace process.
However, according to the reported information, strikes resumed three weeks later, while subsequent attempts to resolve the conflict have yet to produce an agreement.
