US officials said the US proposal is unprecedented and, if followed, could significantly increase the level of US-Israeli military cooperation.
However, Israeli officials treat the American proposal with a kind of suspicion and fear that it is an attempt to prevent Israel from taking action against Iran, in particular against its nuclear installations, in particular in the in case the United States objects, and a US official replied that it was not a question of restricting Israel’s hand.
Another US official said the planning proposal did not involve any sort of joint US-Israeli strike against Iran’s nuclear program.
The proposal was raised, without notice, during visits by senior US military officials to Israel, including:
Israel did not reject the idea, but demanded clarification on what “joint military planning” means on the ground.
Israel specifically asked whether the planning would remain in the realm of intelligence and scenarios, or expand into the realm of joint operations, according to an Israeli official.
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