Israel Watches the Middle East, Keeping Its Finger on the Trigger
US preparations for a possible resumption of strikes against Iran have put Israel on alert amid fears of a fierce Iranian response should Washington launch a large-scale military operation against Tehran.
The Israeli military is closely monitoring rapidly unfolding developments in the Middle East while maintaining a high level of operational readiness for both defence and offensive action. This heightened vigilance comes amid renewed discussion of possible US strikes against Iran in the coming weeks and the risk of Iranian retaliation that could draw Israel back into the confrontation.
An Israeli military source declined to comment on media reports of a potential US attack on Iran. The source nevertheless said the military was continuously assessing regional conditions and remained ready to return to combat immediately if necessary. The remarks suggest that Israel’s military establishment views escalation as a credible possibility, despite the absence of any official announcement of a decision to resume the war.
The comments follow a report published by the New York Times on Thursday stating that the US Department of Defense had drawn up plans, at President Donald Trump’s direction, for an intensive three-day military campaign against Iran. The campaign would target its missile and drone arsenal, energy infrastructure and other military sites.
These plans carry particular significance in light of Trump’s announcement that Washington would not launch an attack before the midterm elections scheduled for November 3. That position leaves several possibilities open regarding the timing of any military action, including postponing the confrontation until after the elections or reassessing the situation if new security developments emerge.
Israel’s Channel 12 quoted a senior US official as saying that Israeli military chief of staff Eyal Zamir had been briefed on American preparations for a possible resumption of attacks against Iran in the coming weeks. According to the official, Zamir warned that renewed warfare within the next three weeks could lead to the postponement of Israel’s elections, scheduled for October 27.
This information highlights the overlap between military and political calculations in Israel. The consequences of another confrontation with Iran would extend beyond the battlefield to the country’s elections, which could be affected by a declaration of a state of emergency or major security developments requiring changes to electoral arrangements.
Israel is preparing for the possibility that Iran could launch missiles at its territory in retaliation for a US attack. Information leaked from Israeli sources in recent months also suggests that the military has compiled a list of targets inside Iran that could be struck if the conflict resumes. This reflects preparations for a scenario in which US strikes trigger a broader exchange of attacks, even if Israel does not initiate the military action.
These developments suggest that Israel is seeking to maintain considerable military readiness without publicly committing to a particular scenario or confirming its involvement in any forthcoming attack. Sustaining both defensive and offensive capabilities allows Israel to prepare for potential Iranian retaliation while retaining flexibility in its decisions as US actions unfold.
The timing of any escalation remains crucial, both to Israel’s military preparations and to its domestic political landscape. Between the American plans reported in the media and the Israeli warnings, the region continues to face the possibility of renewed hostilities. For now, Israel prefers to keep its options open while stressing that its military is ready to act whenever circumstances require.
