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According to U.S. officials, the Biden administration has launched an effort to bring the Pentagon and the Israeli army together for joint military planning concerning Iran.
The Biden administration approached Israel a few weeks ago about engaging in joint military planning regarding Iran, according to 3 U.S. officials familiar with the matter.
While the two countries have already been participating in joint military exercises on Israeli territory, there has also been close intelligence sharing in recent years, particularly during the Trump administration when IRGC Quds Force head Qasem Soleimani was assassinated in January 2020 in Baghdad.
The proposal outlines that both countries would share plans regarding different possible contingencies and would discuss how to handle different scenarios regarding conflicts with Iran or other regional countries.
The push for joint military planning comes after it has become evident that the JCPOA nuclear deal with Tehran cannot be reinstituted, despite recently renewed efforts by European leaders. The recent China-brokered rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran also has both governments concerned.
In recent years, Israel has carried out a series of covert sabotage and assassination campaigns in Iran and, at times, in other parts of the region, according to Zerohedge, which it has claimed have been done to disrupt Iran's 'terrorist' acts but also to prevent Tehran from obtaining or developing nuclear weapons.
While Washington and Tel Aviv have worked closely together in recent years, some Israeli officials have expressed concern over the Biden administration's efforts to increase military planning as Israel receives billions in U.S. foreign aid each year and some officials are concerned that increased joint planning could "tie Isreal's hands."
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan attempted to calm such fears earlier this month when he said, "We have made clear to Iran that it can never be permitted to obtain a nuclear weapon. As President Biden has repeatedly reaffirmed, he will take the actions that are necessary to stand by this statement, including by recognizing Israel's freedom of action."
While the attempt for joint military planning between Washington and Tel Aviv suggests that the U.S. and Israel have warm relations, it's not the most accurate picture of the situation. Biden has yet to invite recently re-elected prime minister Netanyahu to meet with him at the White House, which is an abnormal delay for a prime minister taking office.
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