Israel raises alert, estimates Trump close to order new attacks on Iran, officials tell 'Post'

Israel has raised its alert level amid assessments that US President Donald Trump is close to deciding on renewed military strikes against Iran, potentially on a larger scale, according to two Israeli sources. Officials say Israel is on high alert awaiting the president's final decision, though it has not been asked to join any action. The US Embassy updated its travel advisory recommending citizens consider leaving, and similar warnings were issued in several regional countries. A Washington Post report cited Gen. Alexus Grynkewich warning of insufficient naval forces to defend Israel.

Israel has raised its alert and readiness amid assessments that US President Donald Trump is close to deciding to resume military strikes against Iran, potentially on an even larger scale, according to two Israeli sources who spoke to The Jerusalem Post. Israeli officials told the Post that "we are on high alert and awaiting the president's final decision." While it remains unclear whether Trump would seek to involve Israel in the initial phase of such an operation, Israel's working assumption is that any major strike on Iran, even one carried out without direct Israeli participation, would likely draw Israel into the conflict. An Israeli official told CBS that "Israel is not aware of a decision to fully resume military activity, and has not been asked to join any military action against Iran." During the day, the US Embassy updated its travel advisory, recommending that US citizens in Israel consider leaving due to rising tensions or be prepared to depart if an escalation occurs. US embassies in Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq issued similar warnings. Additionally, earlier on Saturday, The Washington Post reported that US European Command chief Gen. Alexus Grynkewich privately warned the Pentagon this week that he did not have enough naval forces available to continue defending Israel against Iranian ballistic missiles. According to the report, Grynkewich sent a written message to senior Pentagon officials warning that unless he received an additional US Navy destroyer, he would have to prioritize defending the US homeland over continuing to protect Israel from missile attacks. The US Navy is under particularly heavy strain after the Trump administration ordered a blockade of Iranian ports in response to Tehran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, according to the report. The confrontation disrupted the movement of Middle Eastern oil and other goods through the strait and shook the global economy.