As US-Iran fighting resumes, Israel weighs 3 options with restraint winning, for now
Despite Israel's military readiness to resume strikes on Iran, officials say looming elections make Netanyahu more likely to stay out unless Tehran forces his hand.
TEL AVIV — As the United States and Iran resumed tit-for-tat attacks this week, the Israeli military was finalizing plans to return to strikes on Iran even as the Gulf presses US President Donald Trump to rein in Israel.
According to Israeli diplomatic and security sources, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces three options: rejoin the American campaign, wait for Iran to strike Israel and retaliate, or stay out of the fighting while pressing Washington to tighten sanctions on Iran and resist Tehran’s demands. Despite the military preparations, the third option is the most likely, sources argue.
Israeli attack plans ready
"The Israeli military has completed its attack plans for Iran in case the war resumes on a full scale, or if Iran attacks Israel," an Israeli security source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity. "We will accomplish what we didn’t have time to do in the previous rounds, if the political echelon decides to do so." Thousands of American troops and significant air power are still deployed in Israel, he added.
