Afət Ziyadqızı
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly discussed a scenario for a new, large-scale military operation against Iran. The discussions have intensified amid upcoming election campaigns in both countries, according to the Axios news outlet, which cited senior diplomatic and military sources in Washington and Tel Aviv.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that Netanyahu presented the U.S. administration with special Israeli intelligence reports on Iran’s alleged preparations to reactivate its nuclear program. Tel Aviv’s main concern is the possibility that Iran will resume activity at a uranium-enrichment facility in the “Kazma Mountain” (Gahzam Mountain) area.
According to the report, Netanyahu has repeatedly raised the option of joint military intervention in contacts with Trump in recent weeks. An unnamed U.S. official said Israel intended to launch an operation: “President Trump has not yet made any specific legal or military commitment, but he told Netanyahu, ‘Go and make your preparations.’ This indicates that the military scenario could be set in motion at any time.”
There are reportedly serious divisions in Washington’s political and military circles over possible military action against Iran. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) are said to support the use of force, while Trump’s economic advisers and political team argue that the current sanctions regime is producing effective results and that diplomatic and financial pressure should continue.
White House representatives have denied the claims, stressing that Trump has made clear there will be no military operation against Iran before the midterm elections.
Meanwhile, a confidential meeting between Israel Defense Forces Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir and U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine reportedly included extensive discussion of the possibility of regional military clashes beginning in the coming weeks.
Experts say Israel’s planned general elections could be postponed because of the risk that Iran could retaliate with hundreds of ballistic missiles. Israeli military leaders are also concerned that a military operation could be used to gain political advantage ahead of the elections and compromise the army’s neutrality.
