Israel completes preparations for renewed war with Iran: Report

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - TEL AVIV — Israel has completed its military preparations for a possible renewed confrontation with Iran, while the head of US Central Command, Gen. Brad Cooper, has presented President Donald Trump with options for resuming attacks, Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported Saturday.

According to the newspaper, the Israeli military has finalized both defensive and offensive preparations for a potential resumption of hostilities. However, the decision to return to war remains with Trump as negotiations between Washington and Tehran continue.

Citing unnamed political sources, the report said Israel was approaching another round of fighting with Iran, although Israeli political and military leaders do not control the decision to launch a new confrontation.

The decision would depend on whether Trump chooses to pursue a diplomatic agreement with Tehran or resume military operations in coordination with Israel.

The newspaper reported that Israeli preparations had moved beyond planning to include operational exercises.

The Israeli air force has conducted flights involving dozens of fighter jets and refueling aircraft through Syrian and Iraqi airspace toward Iran's borders, rehearsing potential attack routes.

According to the report, the exercises have been conducted on multiple occasions.

Meanwhile, Cooper presented military options to Trump during a meeting attended by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, the newspaper reported.

No decision has been made on resuming military operations, it added.

Citing other media reports, Yedioth Ahronoth said 10 US military transport aircraft had arrived at Israeli air bases in recent days as part of an airlift delivering military equipment to the region.

The deliveries coincided with continued US military reinforcements and preparations for a possible resumption of operations against Iran.

According to the political sources cited by the newspaper, one of the main challenges facing Washington is the absence of clearly defined strategic objectives for a potential military operation.

The sources argued that airstrikes targeting Iran's nuclear facilities, missile systems and military capabilities would not necessarily lead to the collapse of the Iranian government or a change in its policies.

They suggested that Washington could instead use the threat of military action to pressure Tehran into accepting an agreement on terms more favorable to the United States.

However, the sources warned that any agreement failing to address Israeli concerns over Iran's nuclear program, missile systems and military capabilities would leave unresolved what Israel considers major security threats.

The report also raised concerns that a renewed confrontation could expand to Lebanon if Hezbollah became involved in the fighting, as it had during previous hostilities.

Such an escalation could prolong the conflict and increase pressure on Israel's air defense systems and interceptor missile stocks, the sources said.

Despite the military preparations, the newspaper cited reports of progress in indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran through Qatari mediation.

The diplomatic contacts are aimed at creating conditions for direct negotiations between the United States and Iran.

According to the report, discussions would focus on Iran's nuclear program, navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and economic incentives for Tehran.

China and Russia could also serve as guarantors of a potential agreement.

Yedioth Ahronoth said Israel's central challenge extended beyond preparing for another military campaign to ensuring that any operation served its long-term security interests.

The newspaper emphasized the importance of clearly defining the objectives of military action, the conditions for ending hostilities and the outcomes Israel would seek to achieve.

The conflict began with US and Israeli attacks against Iran on Feb. 28, before a ceasefire was reached in April.

Fighting between Washington and Tehran resumed in July amid stalled negotiations.