The US has gathered new intelligence suggesting that Israel may be preparing to launch a strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, according to multiple US officials familiar with the matter. This development comes as the Trump administration continues efforts to reach a diplomatic agreement with Tehran.
A potential Israeli strike would represent a bold departure from President Donald Trump's current diplomatic approach, officials said, and could escalate into a broader regional conflict—a scenario the US has tried to avoid since the 2023 Gaza war reignited tensions across the Middle East.
Officials emphasize that no final decision appears to have been made by Israeli leadership. Within the US government, there is also significant debate over how likely it is that Israel will carry out an attack. Much may depend on how Israeli leaders perceive the progress and substance of the US negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program.
The possibility of a conflict highlights the ongoing global threat posed by nuclear weapons. With a global nuclear stockpile of over 13,000, it's scary to imagine that most of these are much more powerful than the nuclear weapons dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki!
But which countries host the most nuclear weapons? Click on to find out.