With its forces on high alert, Israel is drawing up operational plans for a further escalation in the US-Iran conflict, three Israeli sources said, but for now remains on the sidelines and has no imminent plans to join.
Israel has not been a direct participant in the renewed round of fighting, which erupted in early-July after Iranian attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, and Washington has not yet asked Israel to enter the campaign, the sources said. If US President Donald Trump were to decide to significantly expand the strikes and call on Israel to join, one of the sources said, “We will be ready.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a limited security meeting on Monday night to review the latest developments with Iran, according to another of the sources. The meeting discussed possible scenarios in which Israel could be drawn into the fighting: joining at Washington’s request; an Iranian move that triggers Israeli retaliation; or a preemptive Israeli strike to thwart what it perceives as an imminent threat.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir underscored the military’s readiness Sunday. “We are prepared for an immediate return to fighting and will act with great force against anyone who harms us,” he said.
