Israel has formally requested that the United States join its ongoing military campaign against Iran to help dismantle Tehran’s nuclear program, two Israeli officials told Axios over the past 48 hours.

The appeal, made directly to the Trump administration, stems from Israel’s limited capacity to destroy deeply buried Iranian nuclear sites, notably the Fordow uranium enrichment facility. Fordow is constructed inside a mountain, making it nearly impervious to Israeli munitions. The U.S., by contrast, possesses both the heavy bunker-buster bombs and the long-range bombers needed to penetrate such fortified targets.

Despite the request, Washington has so far resisted Israeli calls for direct involvement. American officials have made clear they view a retaliatory strike by Iran on U.S. targets as unjustified, given that the United States has not participated in Israel’s offensive. Entering the conflict, even by striking a single nuclear facility, would risk drawing the U.S. directly into a broader war with Iran.

“The entire operation... really has to be completed with the elimination of Fordow,” Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter told Fox News on Friday, underlining the strategic importance of the site.

According to an Israeli official who spoke with Axios, President Donald Trump has privately indicated he might be open to supporting the campaign if necessary, following a recent conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, a White House official on Friday denied any such commitment had been made. A second U.S. official confirmed that Israel had urged Washington to join the military action but said the administration was not currently considering it.

“Whatever happens today cannot be prevented,” a senior White House official told Axios on Saturday, referencing Israel’s ongoing strikes. “But we have the ability to negotiate a successful peaceful resolution to this conflict if Iran is willing. The fastest way for Iran to accomplish peace is to give up its nuclear weapons program,” the official added.

Israeli officials have been raising the possibility of coordinated action with their American counterparts since the start of the campaign. One Israeli source said that the request is under review in Washington, and emphasized that Jerusalem is hopeful President Trump will eventually give his approval.

Israeli officials warn that if the Fordow site remains intact after the operation concludes, Israel’s main strategic objective, consisting in crippling Iran’s nuclear capabilities, will not be achieved.