Israel's leaders are sending a clear message that their country is prepared to strike Iran for a third time, amid rising tensions in the region.
Israeli Defense Forces Minister Israel Katz stated that the IDF is on high alert and prepared to resume a campaign against Iran, regain air superiority, and carry out an independent Israeli strike to eliminate threats.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also warned that Israel's campaign against Iran is not finished and that Tehran will not be permitted to obtain a nuclear weapon, regardless of any agreement reached with Washington.
According to sources, the Trump administration does not currently want Israel to participate in the latest U.S. strikes against Iran, citing a desire to avoid further conflict in the region.
However, some Israeli officials and analysts believe that the public warnings may overstate Israel's desire to reenter the fighting, as there is little appetite for renewed fighting unless it produces a clear strategic result.
Israeli analyst and journalist Nadav Eyal stated that any Israeli strike in Iran will lead to Iranian ballistic missile attacks against Israel, and that the domestic political consequences could make Netanyahu reluctant to begin another round of fighting.
The diplomatic outreach continued, with Qatari negotiators traveling to Iran to meet with Iranian officials in an effort to de-escalate the situation and create the conditions for negotiations to resume.
Netanyahu and Trump spoke by phone, agreeing to continue coordinating across several regional fronts, with Trump briefing Netanyahu on American operations in the Gulf.
The military warnings came as U.S. naval officials said the maritime threat remained "severe" in the Strait of Hormuz, where renewed attacks on commercial shipping have taken place.
A U.S. official stated that Iran's attacks against commercial vessels are "acts of terrorism" and constitute failed performance under the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran.
Brig. Gen. Yossi Kuperwasser, a former senior Israeli military intelligence officer, stated that Israel had never regarded the memorandum as an adequate guarantee and that Israel should be on high alert, ready to face an Iranian attack and prepared to strike back if necessary.
For now, Israel's leaders appear to be leaving Iran — and Washington — with little doubt that they are prepared to act, but whether the United States allows Israel to join the renewed campaign will determine whether the latest confrontation remains limited or develops into another full-scale regional war.
