US media: US officials envision Israel first attacking Iran, followed by US intervention after Iran retaliates.

According to Politico, two sources familiar with the matter revealed that Trump's senior advisors prefer Israel to strike first before the US attacks Iran. These government officials privately argue that an Israeli attack would provoke an Iranian retaliation, thus helping to garner support from American voters for a US strike. Recent polls show that Americans (especially Republicans) support regime change in Iran but are unwilling to risk American casualties. This means that the Trump team is considering how the attack will be perceived in public opinion, in addition to reasons such as the nuclear program. One source stated, "There's a view inside and outside the government that it would be much better politically if the Israelis acted first, and the Iranians retaliated against us afterwards; it gives us more justification for action." Although the US hopes Israel will act first, the two sources indicated that a joint US-Israeli operation remains the most likely scenario.