As Trump prioritizes Hormuz, Israel fears Iran rebuilding nuclear program while preserving ballistic missile threat

Analysis

Ben Caspit

A woman walks past a giant banner depicting Iranian missiles and a sword belonging to Imam Ali, the first Imam of the Shiites, at the Vanak Square in Tehran on June 10, 2026. Iran's foreign ministry said on June 10 that the United States had damaged the ongoing international diplomatic effort to end the war, after more US strikes on targets in southern Iran. — ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images

TEL AVIV — Israel fears that Iran is restoring its nuclear sites, and that the United States lacks the determination to stop it.

Speaking with Al-Monitor, Israeli security sources said the United States is not showing the same level of resolve on eliminating Iran’s nuclear program as on ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

They argue that Iran will keep the Americans busy with periodic military clashes in order to buy time to repair its damaged nuclear facilities, including those housing stockpiles of weapons-grade enriched uranium.

Netanyahu works to convince Trump

As Trump prioritizes Hormuz, Israel fears Iran rebuilding nuclear program while preserving ballistic missile threat

Israel is worried that the United States is centering the Strait of Hormuz, deprioritizing the threat of a nuclear Iran.

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