Israeli Strikes on Iran Were Expected After Trump Deadline Expired, Former Ambassador Says

Israel's strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities Friday were not a surprise to the United States and occurred precisely as President Donald Trump's two-month diplomatic deadline with Tehran expired, according to a former Australian ambassador to Israel.

Liberal Senator Dave Sharma, who served as Australia's ambassador to Israel, said the timing of the Israeli attacks reflected the collapse of Trump's diplomatic initiative to negotiate with Iran over its nuclear program.

"When Donald Trump launched his diplomatic initiative to seek to negotiate with Iran, he said he would give it two months. And after that, effectively, all bets were off. Well, two months passed yesterday," Sharma said in an interview with ABC's Afternoon Briefing Friday.

"So I don't think this is a surprise for anyone who's been watching developments unfold closely in the region," Sharma added.

The assessment provides insight into the strategic calculations behind Israel's decision to launch widespread strikes targeting Iranian nuclear scientists and facilities, including the main enrichment site at Natanz, despite ongoing international diplomatic efforts.

Sharma emphasized that multiple indicators suggested US officials anticipated the Israeli action, even though Washington provided no material support for the strikes.

---

Truth matters. Quality journalism costs.

Your subscription to Mencari directly funds the investigative reporting our democracy needs. For less than a coffee per week, you enable our journalists to uncover stories that powerful interests would rather keep hidden. There is no corporate influence involved. No compromises. Just honest journalism when we need it most.

Not ready to be paid subscribe, but appreciate the newsletter ? Grab us a beer or snag the exclusive ad spot at the top of next week's newsletter.

---