US Sent 300 hellfire missiles to Israel days before Iran strikes: Report reveals Trump knew all along

Former President Donald Trump has since defended the timing, claiming he gave Iran a 60-day deadline to reach a new nuclear deal before approving military action.

The United States quietly delivered hundreds of Hellfire missiles to Israel just days before its unprecedented airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities, according to a report by Middle East Eye (MEE). The report suggests the Trump administration may have had prior knowledge of Israel’s attack plans, despite maintaining public support for continued nuclear diplomacy with Tehran.

Citing unnamed US officials, Middle East Eye reported that approximately 300 Hellfire missiles were sent to Israel on Tuesday, just days ahead of the Israeli offensive on Friday. These precision-guided, air-to-ground missiles were reportedly part of a large-scale replenishment of munitions and supplies.

While Hellfire missiles are not typically used to strike hardened nuclear sites, they are valuable for targeted precision attacks on individuals and smaller facilities. A senior US defence official told MEE: “There is a time and place for Hellfires. They were useful to Israel.”

Israel's Friday operation involved over 100 aircraft targeting senior Iranian military commanders, nuclear scientists, and command-and-control centres. Israeli forces reportedly used precision tracking and tactical airpower across multiple Iranian provinces.

Separately, Reuters reported on Friday that US military systems helped intercept Iranian missiles fired at Israel in retaliation. This marked a significant, albeit quiet, show of support amid escalating regional hostilities.

Friday’s Israeli strikes reportedly killed a number of high-ranking Iranian figures, including Major General Hossein Salami, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Iran’s military chief of staff, Ali Shamkhani, a close aide to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

MEE had earlier reported that the CIA was briefed in April and May 2025 on Israel’s plans for a unilateral strike against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. The briefings detailed a combined approach of cyberattacks and targeted airstrikes that did not require direct US involvement. According to the report, the Trump administration was “impressed” with the strategy and did not obstruct Israel’s planning.

Despite publicly advocating for renewed nuclear talks, the Trump administration was privately aligned with Israel’s military approach, according to Axios. Citing two Israeli officials, Axios reported that the US was only “pretending” to resist the attack plans while quietly endorsing them.

Former President Donald Trump has since defended the timing, claiming he gave Iran a 60-day deadline to reach a new nuclear deal before approving military action. That deadline reportedly expired a day before Israel's strike.

Talks between the US and Iran, which began on April 12, broke down over the issue of uranium enrichment. Washington demanded a complete halt to enrichment activities, while Tehran insisted on retaining the right to low-level enrichment, a position it described as non-negotiable.

Two US officials told MEE that the Trump administration had continued sending arms to Israel throughout the negotiation period. The recent Hellfire missile delivery was part of a previously approved $7.4 billion arms package that included missiles, bombs, and other equipment. Because Congress had already been notified of the overall deal in February, the latest transfer did not require a new public notification.