Israel was meant to be involved in a major attack on Iran, United States officials told N12 News on Sunday, before US President Donald Trump decided to call it off after persuasion by Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
According to one official, Israel told the United States that if the attack did not strike Iranian regime targets and sites tied to Iran's economy, there was no point in striking at all.
The officials also told N12 that Trump had been closer than ever before to striking before other Middle East nations pressured him to grant Iran another opportunity to negotiate.
Trump demands immediate deal with Iran
In a Truth Social post on Saturday night, Trump called for an immediate deal with Iran, claiming to have called off a massive attack against the country and to have Israel's support in his commitment.
"The USA is locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II," Trump claimed.
Trump announced that the deal would have to include the complete opening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran's nuclear threat.