New York, February 14 (RHC)-- The Wall Street Journal has revealed U.S. intelligence agencies believe Israel is planning to launch a major attack on Iranian nuclear sites this year. 

The finding was made by the Biden administration shortly before Donald Trump took office. 

The Journal reports the intelligence analysis concluded Israel would push the Trump administration to back the strikes.

U.S. intelligence cited the risk of further conflict in the Middle East and characterized Iran as weakened following an October 26th Israeli attack on Iran, adding that Israel views the window for denying Iran a nuclear weapons capability as closing fast.

Trump reimposed the so-called maximum pressure campaign on Iran of his first term this month, but said he much preferred a deal and described any reports of a U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran as "greatly exaggerated."

Diplomatic room for U.S.-Iran talks for a nuclear deal appeared to narrow in the past week as Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei rejected the idea of negotiations and relatively moderate President Masoud Pezeshkian endorsed the stance.

[ SOURCE:  THE WALL STREET JOURNAL and DEMOCRACY NOW ]