Current sectionMiddle East NewsIran NewsA former senior Israeli intelligence officer warns that despite last year's campaign, Iran's nuclear infrastructure and missile production capabilities remain largely intact underground, while Tehran may now conclude that only nuclear weapons can deter future wars with Israel and the United StatesShare to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeAmos Harel05:39 AM • May 18 2026 IDTDonald Trump has still not signaled clearly his intentions regarding a possible renewal of the war with Iran. It seems he returned empty-handed from his talks in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The U.S. president may have hoped for a deal in which American concessions to China over its pressure on Taiwan would be exchanged for Chinese intervention to help resolve the crisis in the Persian Gulf, but there are no indications that any progress was made.Loading...Click the alert icon to follow topics:LebanonIran nuclearIDFHezbollahDonald TrumpCommentsLoading...In the NewsIn the News: Israel-Iran Live UpdatesHamasIsrael ElectionsLebanonNoam BettanSettler ViolenceHaQuizHaaretz PodcastReport: Israel Operated Covert Outposts in Iraq During War With IranAs Trump Hesitates, Israel Prepares for Renewed Iran StrikesFor Lebanese, Israeli Warplanes – Not Washington Diplomacy – Define RealityArchaeology at the Service of Government Public RelationsWho Wants a Million and a Half Voters?Remembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIHundreds Protest at New York Times HQ Over Column Alleging Abuse by IsraelisStarlink Users, Beware – Israeli Tech Can Reveal Your IdentityIt Wasn't Just Revenge That Israel Was After in GazaWelcome to the Most Shameful Day in the Jewish CalendarIsraeli Teens Storm Muslim Quarter in Old City, Haaretz Reporter AttackedIsrael Attacks New York Times for Report on Sexual Violence by Israeli Forces