According to a senior diplomatic source who spoke with The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday, Iran is currently harboring centrifuges at Pickaxe Mountain, and Israel does not believe the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program has been completely destroyed. The diplomatic disclosures offer a direct look into high-level consultations between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and United States leadership, detailing ongoing military assessments, regional strategy regarding Syria and Turkey, and long-term plans for Israeli financial and defense independence.
Nuclear Infrastructure at Pickaxe Mountain and Options for Iran
Israel’s military actions successfully set Iran’s nuclear program back, but the damage was “not forever,” according to the senior diplomatic source. While enrichment is not currently taking place at Pickaxe Mountain, the source stressed that “there are centrifuges at Pickaxe Mountain” and noted that Israel would not hesitate to act again against any attempt to rebuild the nuclear program or its ballistic missile array. “The goal is how to bring the nuclear program to an end,” the source stated.
Most of the conversation between Prime Minister Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump focused on addressing the Islamic Republic following the significant blow to its nuclear program, which included targeted strikes on nuclear scientists, enrichment facilities, and centrifuges. According to the diplomatic source, Trump is currently weighing three possible courses of action: pursuing a new agreement, maintaining and intensifying economic pressure and sanctions, or escalating military action. “This was not a meeting where we came to check a box,” the source said. “It was a genuine consultation in which each of the options was examined on its merits.”
Regarding leadership dynamics within Tehran, the source confirmed that Mojtaba Khamenei is alive despite being absent from the spotlight. “He is essentially completely absent, but he exists,” the source remarked. Meanwhile, the Iranian regime faces mounting domestic economic pressure, characterized by severe inflation, local protests, and shortages of gas and fuel that have created long lines at gas stations. The source argued that Tehran’s greatest fear is an economic collapse capable of triggering widespread public unrest. Furthermore, the source stated that if Iran attacks Israel—as it is currently doing against neighboring countries and Jordan—Israel will respond directly.
Strategic Maps on Syria and Tensions Involving Turkey
During Tuesday’s meeting, Prime Minister Netanyahu presented visual maps to President Trump designed to curb calls for an Israeli withdrawal from Syrian territory. “Sometimes the president has certain assumptions, and if you don’t change them, they become fixed,” the source explained regarding the decision to use visual presentations. The maps illustrated that Turkey controls roughly 5% of Syrian territory, whereas Israel controls only about 0.1%. Netanyahu argued that Israel’s military presence is necessary to counter threats from Iran, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other terrorist organizations. Although Syria was discussed, the source noted it served primarily as an introduction to the central topic of Iran.
Relations with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also featured in the discussions. Netanyahu told Trump that Erdogan seeks to expand Turkey’s regional influence and is acting against Israel, according to the diplomatic source. The talks included a lighthearted exchange where Netanyahu succeeded in convincing Trump that the two leaders disagree regarding US arms sales to Turkey.
Moving Beyond US Financial Aid and Military Financing
Netanyahu plans to spearhead an effort toward Israel’s financial independence and independent weapons production over the next decade, according to the senior diplomatic source. “Israel is grateful for every cent, but the state wants to move from assistance to partnership,” the source said, outlining a vision to phase out the American Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program in roughly ten years.
Under this proposed framework, existing components such as FMF—which provides funds for purchases—and ballistic missile defense (BMD) would evolve from conventional assistance into true partnerships. A third component would involve genuine joint development projects designed to meet the defense needs of both the United States and Israel. Netanyahu also presented this new strategic vision for bilateral relations during his meetings, aiming to transition Israel from an assistance recipient into a full partner in research, technology, and defense industries.
Private Discussions at Blair House and Wider Regional Pressures
On Tuesday evening, Netanyahu met privately with US Vice President JD Vance at Blair House. The meeting was requested by the prime minister, according to the source, who described it as “a good, honest and genuine conversation” while declining to elaborate further. The private talks followed recent public criticism from Vance directed at Netanyahu’s coalition and the prime minister himself.
Addressing other regional and domestic challenges, the diplomatic source noted that Netanyahu never raises his ongoing criminal trial during conversations with the US president. “He never brings it up,” the source said, adding that Trump raises the matter independently on his own initiative and mentioned it in passing to participants during the visit. The talks also touched on developments involving Saudi Arabia and broader regional challenges.
The source also attributed the erosion of public support for Israel in the United States primarily to the war in Gaza and social media campaigns. Some of these campaigns are backed by Qatar, China, and Russia in an effort to undermine Israel and its strategic alliance with the United States, the source claimed. Despite such public criticism, Israel continues to maintain contacts and cooperation with various countries, including Arab states that view Israel as an important security and technological partner.
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