OMM Newsroom
Israel has completed preparations for a possible renewed military confrontation with Iran, while US Central Command chief Brad Cooper has presented President Donald Trump with options for resuming attacks, Anadolu Agency reported on Saturday, citing the newspaper “Yedioth Ahronoth”.
The Israeli military has finalized its defensive and offensive preparations for a possible resumption of hostilities, the report said. But the decision to return to war remains with Trump as negotiations between Washington and Tehran continue.
Citing unnamed political sources, the newspaper reported that Israel was approaching another round of fighting with Iran. Israeli political and military leaders do not control whether the confrontation begins; that depends on whether Trump pursues an agreement with Tehran or resumes attacks in coordination with Israel.
Israeli air force rehearses potential attack routes
The preparations have moved beyond planning, according to the report. The Israeli air force has conducted flights involving dozens of fighter jets and refueling aircraft in Syrian and Iraqi airspace toward Iran’s borders, rehearsing potential attack routes. The newspaper said the exercises had taken place more than once.
Cooper presented military options to Trump at a meeting attended by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, “Yedioth Ahronoth” reported. No decision had been made on resuming combat.
Citing media reports, the newspaper said 10 US military transport aircraft had arrived at Israeli air bases in recent days as part of an airlift delivering military equipment to the region. The deliveries coincided with continued US force reinforcements and preparations for a possible resumption of military operations, it added.
Report cites uncertainty over US objectives and possible Lebanon front
According to sources cited by the newspaper, a key dilemma is the lack of clear US strategic objectives for a potential operation. They said airstrikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities, missile systems and military capabilities would not necessarily bring down its government or change its policies.
The sources suggested Washington could use military threats to pressure Tehran into accepting an agreement on terms more favourable to the United States. They argued that any agreement that did not address Israeli concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme, missile systems and armament would leave unresolved the threats Israel says it faces.
The sources also warned that fighting could spread to Lebanon if Hezbollah joined the confrontation, as it had previously. They said this could prolong the war and put additional pressure on Israel’s air defences and stocks of interceptor missiles.
Alongside the military preparations, the newspaper cited reports of progress in indirect US-Iranian contacts mediated by Qatar, aimed at paving the way for direct negotiations. The discussions would cover Iran’s nuclear programme, the Strait of Hormuz and economic incentives for Tehran, with China and Russia potentially serving as guarantors of an agreement, according to the report.
The newspaper said Israel’s central challenge was not only preparing another attack, but ensuring any military action served its long-term security interests, with clearly defined objectives, conditions for ending hostilities and intended outcomes.
The war began with US and Israeli attacks against Iran on Feb. 28, before a ceasefire was reached in April. Fighting between Washington and Tehran resumed in July amid stalled negotiations.
