US intelligence suggests Israel preparing strike on Iranian nuclear facilities

(Patria) - New intelligence obtained by the United States suggests Israel is preparing for an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, CNN reported, citing multiple US officials familiar with the intelligence, Reuters reports.

It is unclear whether Israeli leaders have made a final decision and whether there was disagreement within the US government over whether they would ultimately decide to carry out the strikes, CNN added, citing officials.

The National Security Council did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. The Israeli embassy in Washington also did not respond, nor did the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, which was contacted after business hours.

One source familiar with the intelligence told CNN that the likelihood of an Israeli attack on an Iranian nuclear facility has "increased significantly in recent months." The source said the chance of an attack would be more likely if the US reached a deal with Iran that does not remove all uranium from the country, CNN added.

The administration of President Donald Trump is conducting negotiations with Iran to reach a diplomatic agreement on its nuclear program.

The new intelligence is based on public and private communications of senior Israeli officials, as well as intercepted Israeli communications and observations of Israeli military movements that could indicate an imminent attack, CNN reported.

CNN cited two sources who said that among the military preparations observed by the US were the movement of aircraft munitions and the completion of an air exercise.

Earlier on Tuesday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said US demands that Tehran stop enriching uranium were "excessive and unprecedented," state media reported, expressing doubts about whether negotiations on a new nuclear deal would succeed.