Israeli officials warn strike on Iran nuclear sites would be extremely hard but confident Trump would stand by Jewish state

TEL AVIV, Israel — Iran’s nuclear facilities would be “extremely” difficult for Israeli forces to strike, defense sources have told The Post, adding that the Jewish state is willing to take such a bold step if officials deem it necessary — since President-elect Donald Trump has not objected to the possibility.Israel has been at indirect war with Iran since Oct.7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists murdered roughly 1,200 civilians and kidnapped hundreds more.

Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen comprise tentacles of Iran’s “octopus” threat, as Israeli officials describe it.Now, with Tehran severely weakened following more than a year of conflict, insiders tell The Post Israel is desperate to wipe out Iran’s nuclear capabilities — by force, if necessary.“We have no option [not to address the threat] because we understand [Iran’s nuclear weapons] would be pointed at us and our stance is, we are against it, and hope there is a way to stop it that is not militarily,” one official explained.“But if not, we’re ready to act militarily.”Iran has been building up its nuclear capabilities for years, with Trump withdrawing the US from the so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018, citing Tehran’s unwillingness to stick to the terms of the agreement requiring the dismantling of much of its nuclear program and allowing for more extensive international inspections.“I think the nuclear problem is bigger than what it seems,” one Israeli defense source told The Post.

“One is because of the way it’s spread out.It’s underground and in multiple locations, which would make it very hard to wipe out all at the same time and successfully.

But some of it is really deep underground.”The complexity of the layout would also require major military capabilities, such as so-called “bunker buster” bombs that Israel used in its September strike in Beirut that killed Hezbollah leader Hasan Nasrallah.The US sent ...