Israeli officials expect Trump Iran strike decision soon
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a high-level security consultation in Jerusalem on Thursday with top advisors and defense officials on a "classified matter," Israeli media reported, as the United States edges toward a potential military strike on Iran amid soaring regional tensions. Discussions zeroed in on Iran and the prospect of U.S. action, which President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened in recent weeks, according to Channel 12. A Trump directive on a possible strike is anticipated in coming days once U.S. military assets en route to the region are positioned, a senior U.S. official told the Israeli broadcaster.
Israeli officials assess that even a limited U.S. strike would provoke a major Iranian attack on Israel, prompting a forceful Jerusalem response. This outlook has Israel on high alert for rapid escalation, sources said. Military intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder visited Washington this week, meeting Pentagon, CIA, and White House leaders Tuesday and Wednesday, per Axios and Israeli outlets. U.S. officials confirmed Binder delivered specific intelligence requested by the Trump administration on potential Iranian targets.
Mossad Director David Barnea also traveled to Washington recently, meeting Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff after a key January 14 call between Netanyahu and Trump. The Jerusalem Post reported Israeli officials shared intelligence on potential targets across Iran.
While Israel furnishes target data, Saudi Arabia pushes diplomacy. Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman is set to meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pentagon officials Thursday and Friday to advocate de-escalation. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian earlier this week that Riyadh would not allow its airspace or territory used for strikes against Tehran.
Turkey, Qatar, and Oman press the White House for mediation between Washington and Tehran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi heads to Turkey Friday, where Ankara will offer its services. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned an attack on Iran would be a mistake risking "global-scale dangers."
The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group has reached the Middle East, completing much of the U.S. force buildup. Trump called it a "massive armada" that stands "ready, willing, and able" to hit Iran if needed. In response, Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced live-fire naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz for February 1 and 2, the world's most critical oil export chokepoint.
Russia stated Thursday it stands ready to evacuate staff from Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant if required, with Rosatom head Alexei Likhachev cautioning that any strike there could spark a Chernobyl-scale disaster. Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said the country "must prepare for a state of war" while remaining open to talks with "guarantees."
