Trump orders expansion of campaign? Israel braces for escalation with Iran

The US updated Israel before renewing strikes on Iran. Israel is preparing for the possibility that Trump will order an expansion of strikes following his meeting with Netanyahu and the lack of progress on a memorandum of understanding. The IDF and defense establishment await Netanyahu for further discussion. On the agenda: preparations for escalation, launches toward Israel, and Israeli involvement in the campaign. Meanwhile, security dialogue with the UAE and an Emirati transport plane landed at Nevatim. Trump has not yet decided on the next step; on his desk is CENTCOM's plan for two weeks of massive airstrikes. He weighs concerns about widening the circle of fighting and limited interceptor missiles, and receives conflicting messages: Saudi Arabia prefers calm, Netanyahu suggests increasing economic pressure on Iran.

The United States updated Israel before renewing strikes on Iran tonight, as reported this evening (Thursday) on Kan News citing a security source. Israel is preparing for the possibility that US President Donald Trump will order an expansion of strikes on Iran in the coming days following his meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and after no progress was made in attempts to reach a new memorandum of understanding. At the top of the IDF and the entire defense establishment, they awaited Netanyahu's return, and now an additional discussion on the Iranian issue is expected. Also on the agenda is Israeli preparedness for the possibility that intensified strikes on Iran will lead to widespread escalation, launches toward Israel, and Israeli involvement in the campaign. Beyond the intense dialogue between Israeli and American officials, significant security dialogue has also been taking place in recent days with the United Arab Emirates. During the campaign against Iran, relations between Israel and the UAE have led to unprecedented cooperation. Earlier this week, a UAE military transport plane landed unusually at Nevatim Airbase as part of the security cooperation between the countries. It was also reported this evening that the American president has not yet decided on the next step in the war against Iran. On his desk lies a plan from US Central Command for two weeks of massive airstrikes aimed at damaging Iran's ballistic capabilities and thereby preventing them from striking regional countries. Trump's decision has not yet been made, partly due to concerns about widening the circle of fighting while his country's stockpile of interceptor missiles is limited. Meanwhile, the American president receives conflicting messages from regional countries. Last night he met with Saudi Arabia's defense minister, who is visiting Washington, and heard from him that the Saudis do not want to see an escalation in fighting and prefer a path of calm. In contrast, in his meeting with Netanyahu, the prime minister presented proposals to increase economic pressure on Iran by striking its ground supply routes. According to the Israeli plan, such a move would increase Iran's economic distress and push it toward concessions, or alternatively encourage the Iranian people to take to the streets against the regime. Trump has not yet made a decision on this matter either. Current US policy is that Iranian aggression will be met with counterattacks. In the absence of such aggression, the United States will not initiate attacks.