section_path: Background/Immediate prelude
section_name: Immediate prelude
paragraph_text: Immediate prelude
  
  On 12 June 2025, ABC News reported Israel was considering taking military action against Iran. US officials were told Israel was "fully ready" for an operation against Iran, according to CBS News. The Trump administration purportedly considered options to support Israel without leading the operation. The US Embassy in Jerusalem restricted the movement of its staffers the following day, though Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel, said it was unlikely Israel would strike Iran without approval from the Trump administration. Prior to the airstrikes, Israel told the Trump administration it would not strike without first notifying the US. Trump spoke to Netanyahu on the eve of the attacks, and admitted having known in advance of Israel's planned actions. Officials in the UK's Foreign Office and Ministry of Defence were aware of Israel's intention to strike Iran, but it is unconfirmed whether a formal notification was provided by Israel. According to Israeli officials, the Israeli government asked the Trump administration to join them and help in the prelude of attacks. Right-wing figures, including Trump allies, questioned Israel's attacks and warned of a US war with Iran.
  
  In the weeks leading up to Israeli attacks, its government faced international pressure over the high risk of famine in Gaza and killing of civilians. Even Israel's allies in Europe had become critical of impact of the war in Gaza on civilians, and the EU had announced it would reconsider its free-trade deal with Israel. Political scientists stated that the attack on Iran provided a distraction from Israel's actions in Gaza. Nesrine Malik said the attack was an attempt by Israel to bring a Europe alienated by Israel's action in the suffering in Gaza back to its side. Israeli relations with Iran were a unifying factor between left-wing and right-wing Israelis. The day before the attack on Iran, Israel destroyed telecommunications infrastructure in Gaza, cutting off communications between Gaza and the rest of the world.