A new phase of conflict is developing: Israeli military forces have stepped up preparations for a potential strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, moving away from some diplomatic options and once again raising the question of a new escalation in the Middle East region
According to CNN, citing sources within U.S. intelligence, the Israelis have been focused on the possibility of using military force against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure for several months, and these efforts are intensifying ahead of a possible agreement between the U.S. and Iran, which Israeli leaders consider insufficiently strict and capable of allowing Tehran to retain a significant portion of its nuclear capabilities. Sources in Washington indicate that new intelligence shows the risk of an Israeli attack has significantly increased. The reports emphasize that no official decision has been made yet; however, the Israeli leadership is already considering the possibility of military action as one of the potential scenarios. This issue has become especially urgent amid reports of activity by Israeli military structures, including the transportation of aerial munitions and large-scale training exercises conducted in the air and on land. All of this allegedly signals readiness to act if absolutely necessary and serves as a message to Tehran and the international community. Simultaneously, society and political circles are actively discussing the possibility of such a strike as a means of pressuring Iran to reconsider its nuclear program and abandon key components. Some experts and analysts note that this scenario may be an attempt by Israeli forces to force Tehran to cease activities that could lead to dangerous escalation, viewing it as a psychological tactic aimed at maintaining the regional balance of power. Regarding the position of the Israeli government, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is, according to analysts, trying to balance between the desire to prevent a new nuclear agreement between the U.S. and Iran and maintaining current diplomatic relations with Washington. The interlocutors note that while the Israeli government seeks to derail or at least weaken the potential "peace" deal between the two countries, it does not want to provoke open conflict or destroy the strategic partnership with America. Therefore, the decision to carry out an attack remains contingent on how events unfold, particularly the actions of Trump and the agreements reached. On the other hand, the White House remains cautious about directly supporting Israeli operations without serious provocations from Tehran. It is known that the U.S. administration advocates for a diplomatic solution and restraint, and unless the situation escalates into urgent military actions by Iran, Washington is unlikely to permit or even support large-scale operations by Israel without clear justification and initial real provocations. Regarding Israel’s potential capabilities, completely destroying Iran’s nuclear capabilities without U.S. involvement is currently unlikely due to the high complexity of such an operation, especially considering the need for aerial refueling and the use of precision-guided munitions to penetrate underground facilities. However, the Israeli government is confident that the country can act unilaterally if the situation becomes critical, viewing such an operation as an essential step to prevent future threats. According to CNN sources, there is a genuine concern within Israeli leadership that if the Biden administration signs a deal with Iran unacceptable to Tel Aviv, the Israelis are contemplating a swift and decisive military response to thwart that agreement. The presence of signals from various sources indicating readiness to use force is another sign that the region is once again on the brink of a new wave of tension and conflict, centered around Iran’s nuclear program and Israel’s security.