Trump’s envoy blocked a May Israeli attack to pursue a weaker Iran deal—then backtracked under fire from allies and critics alike

In a revelation first reported by The New York Times, the United States persuaded Israel to stand down from a planned strike on Iranian nuclear sites in May 2025. The operation—already approved by Israel’s senior leadership—was halted after Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s personal envoy and emissary to regional talks, intervened to give diplomacy a chance.

According to sources close to both governments, the Israeli strike had been greenlit and could have commenced within days. It was paused after Witkoff, who has no formal diplomatic background but was entrusted with sensitive nuclear diplomacy, appealed directly to Israeli leadership, urging them to allow the U.S. time to pursue a new framework with Tehran.

Talks resumed soon after, first in Muscat and now continuing in Rome. But the proposal presented—reportedly softer than the Obama-era JCPOA—triggered fierce backlash in Washington, Tel Aviv, and from Sunni Arab partners.

Facing political fire from all sides, Witkoff was forced to clarify and harden his stance. “Our position begins with dismantlement of your program,” he said, reportedly from Rome. “There can’t be weaponization of your nuclear capability.” His comments came only after widespread outrage that the deal he pitched included broad sanctions relief, minimal inspection guarantees, and allowed Iran to retain significant enrichment capacity—contradicting Trump’s own prior policy.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly fumed over the proposal, calling it “an insult to the memory of Trump’s maximum pressure campaign.” A senior Israeli defense source confirmed from Tel Aviv that “this deal is worse than 2015—it legitimizes enrichment and ignores Iranian expansionism across Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen.”

Iran remains entrenched. Speaking in Tehran, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted that “uranium enrichment is not up for discussion,” adding that “our regional role is not a bargaining chip.” Iran continues enriching uranium to 60%—a level that puts it within weeks of weapons-grade capability.

The IAEA confirmed last week from Vienna that Iran has expanded the number and speed of centrifuges in Natanz and Fordow, with no sign of slowing. Director General Rafael Grossi warned the situation is “high-risk and deteriorating.”

Witkoff’s retreat—both tactical and rhetorical—has left Israel frustrated and skeptical. “The Americans bought time. The Iranians used it,” an Israeli intelligence officer said bluntly. “If this is the deal, it’s not worth the paper it’s written on.”

While Witkoff remains in Rome attempting to salvage the talks, Israeli military planners are reportedly revisiting the paused strike option. “There is no world in which we allow Iran to reach the threshold,” one IDF source said.

What was intended to be a diplomatic coup for Trump’s envoys may yet become a strategic failure—one that leaves both Israeli and American credibility in question.