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Netanyahu to brief Trump on rising missile threat from Iran
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago to discuss renewed intelligence on Iran’s expanding missile capabilities and its potential to resume large-scale production. The meeting, scheduled for December 29, will focus on the implications of Tehran’s military buildup and possible joint responses between the two allies.
According to Israeli and U.S. defense sources, Tehran has intensified its ballistic missile research with technical assistance from China. Intelligence assessments suggest that if left unaided, Iran could restore its production capacity to approximately 3,000 ballistic missiles a year, despite the crippling damage inflicted during the June 2025 U.S.-Israel strikes known as Operation Midnight Hammer. That campaign was designed to destroy key segments of Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure.
Warning signals from Tehran
Recent military exercises conducted by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps have drawn close scrutiny from both Washington and Tel Aviv. Israeli defense officials fear that the drills, held in Tehran, Isfahan, and Mashhad on December 22, may disguise preparations for another missile offensive. The participating forces reportedly launched both ballistic and cruise missiles against mock targets, seen as a direct show of force.
In response, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, Chief of Israel’s Defense Forces, spoke with U.S. Central Command Commander Admiral Brad Cooper to warn of possible escalation. Speaking during a trilateral summit with Greece and Cyprus, Netanyahu vowed a “very severe response” to any Iranian aggression, confirming that Israel’s defense forces were on high alert. Iran’s Foreign Ministry rejected these concerns, with its spokesman asserting that the missile program was strictly defensive and accusing Western nations of “hypocrisy” amid ongoing arms support to Israel.
Strategic calculations
Western intelligence reports indicate that Iran has imported around 2,000 tons of sodium perchlorate from China since September, a chemical ingredient used in missile propellant. Experts estimate this volume could enable Iran to manufacture roughly 260 medium-range missiles. Satellite imagery also suggests rebuilding efforts at multiple bases that were heavily struck in June.
That conflict claimed 32 Israeli lives, left over 3,000 injured, and destroyed 13,000 homes. Despite intercepting 86 percent of the 550 missiles fired, Israeli officials had braced for far higher casualties. With rising tensions once again, Israel is reportedly set to present Trump with a series of options for renewed American involvement ranging from intelligence support to direct military participation should Iran continue advancing its missile program.
The upcoming Mar-a-Lago meeting will be Netanyahu’s fifth visit since Trump’s return to the presidency and the first since the ceasefire in Gaza, marking another defining moment in the evolving security relationship between the two countries.
