CBS reports that senior-level US discussions were held Saturday regarding the possibility of cutting electricity to Tehran, but no decision has been made. An Israeli source told CBS that no decision to renew full-scale fighting is known, and that Israel has not been asked to join any military operation against Iran.
CBS News reported Saturday evening that senior-level discussions were held in the United States regarding the possibility of cutting electricity to Tehran, though no final decision has been reached. An Israeli source told CBS that no decision to renew full-scale fighting is known, and that Israel has not been asked to join any military operation against Iran. The report, based on a single source, has not been independently verified.
The new report marks a development in the ongoing US-Iran tensions, which The Zioneer has been tracking through a series of reports from Friday night. Earlier accounts from CBS and other outlets indicated that the US and Israel were preparing for joint strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, potentially as early as this weekend. Those reports described strikes on power plants, refineries, and other energy targets, with final presidential approval still pending. The new report on cutting electricity to Tehran appears to reflect a broader discussion of options, while the Israeli source's denial of any request to join operations contrasts with earlier reports of joint planning.
As The Zioneer has previously reported, the Trump administration has issued clear signals to Israel to refrain from independent strikes on Iran, while maintaining military readiness. Israeli officials have assessed that Iran is still deliberating whether to attack Israel, and the US has indicated it may ask Israel to join a campaign under certain conditions. The US has also publicly stated it is prioritizing diplomacy while preparing for additional strikes.
It remains unclear whether the discussions on cutting electricity to Tehran represent a separate line of planning or are part of the broader strike preparations. The report's sourcing is limited, and the lack of a final decision leaves the diplomatic and military options still open.
11 developments
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