The Lead
The United States has informed Israel of its intention to escalate offensive operations against Iran in the coming days, utilizing heavy strategic bombers for the first time in the current cycle of escalation. Military correspondent Itai Blumenthal reports that the two allies are coordinating closely as the U.S. prepares to expand its kinetic campaign, with Mount Hamakosh identified as a primary potential target.
Strategic Escalation
According to reports published Wednesday evening, the United States is preparing to introduce heavy strategic bombers into its ongoing air campaign against the Iranian regime. This development marks a significant shift in the intensity of the current confrontation, which has seen sustained U.S. strikes since the collapse of the 'Islamabad' memorandum earlier this month. While the U.S. has maintained a consistent air presence, the deployment of heavy bombers—similar to those utilized in the concluded Operation Roaring Lion in February 2026—indicates a transition toward high-yield strikes against hardened or high-value infrastructure.
Targeting Mount Hamakosh
One of the primary objectives of the planned escalation is reportedly Mount Hamakosh. This site has been a focal point of recent strategic assessments, following public statements by President Trump indicating a commitment to strike the location. The site is widely associated with Iran's strategic and nuclear-adjacent infrastructure, and its targeting would represent a major blow to the regime's defensive and offensive capabilities. The use of heavy bombers, which often fly long-range missions from bases as far as the United Kingdom, provides the payload capacity necessary for such operations.
Security Coordination and Retaliation
The notification to Jerusalem serves a dual purpose: ensuring operational deconfliction and allowing Israel to prepare for the inevitable Iranian response. Security sources suggest that the U.S. remains interested in keeping Israel out of the immediate offensive cycle to prevent a broader regional conflagration. However, there is a high degree of concern that Tehran may decide to 'break the tools'—a term used to describe a total abandonment of restraint—by launching direct missile or drone strikes against Israeli territory in retaliation for the American escalation.
Outlook for the Region
The coming days are viewed as a critical window. If Iran chooses to respond to the U.S. bomber strikes by targeting Israel, it would likely trigger a direct Israeli military response, potentially leading to a multi-front escalation that both Washington and Jerusalem have sought to manage. For now, the IDF and security establishment remain on high alert, monitoring both the planned American movements and the subsequent Iranian posture.
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