Israel raised its defense readiness amid assessments that a US strike on Iran would trigger retaliatory fire toward Israel, according to Israeli defense sources. The Wall Street Journal reported that President Trump approved new strike plans in recent hours, and CBS reported that the US and Israel are ready to strike Iranian energy infrastructure as early as this weekend, though no final decision has been made.
The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday evening that President Donald Trump has approved new strike plans against Iran, and CBS News reported that the United States and Israel are prepared to strike Iranian energy infrastructure as early as this weekend, though no final decision has been made. The reports come after hours of escalating alerts in Israel, with the defense establishment raising readiness levels in anticipation of a US strike that could trigger Iranian retaliation against Israel.
The Zioneer had been tracking the escalation throughout Saturday evening. At 19:51 Jerusalem, initial reports indicated the IDF raised its air defense alert level. Within minutes, multiple Israeli news outlets reported that the IDF had been raised to its highest alert level, that Iran was threatening retaliation against Israel, and that a security source confirmed Israel was preparing for a US strike and raising defense readiness. The readiness was raised incrementally, from a one-notch increase to the highest level. Across the evening, the reports were corroborated by several newsrooms, including i24NEWS and Channel 14, which assessed that Israel could switch from routine to emergency status. Earlier Saturday, The Zioneer reported that a senior US official confirmed the US and Israel are on course for a joint strike.
The developments follow weeks of rising tensions. The Zioneer reported on June 27 that the US expanded airstrikes on southern Iran, and on June 8 that President Trump told Prime Minister Netanyahu the US and Iran were nearing a nuclear deal framework. The Eye on Zion bulletin earlier Saturday evening noted that the US has finalized strike options targeting Iran's nuclear facility. The current reports of Trump approving new strike plans represent a further step toward potential military action.
What remains unconfirmed: the exact timing of any strike, whether final authorization has been issued, and the scope of possible Iranian or proxy retaliation, including a potential Hezbollah response. The Israeli defense establishment remains on high alert.
9 developments
- StrongUS reportedly preparing another wave of strikes, target list includes Iranian power plants
- StrongWhite House report: Trump weighs immediate order for large-scale attack on Iran, including energy infrastructure
- DevelopingTrump announces US plans two significant waves of attacks on Iran today and tomorrow
- StrongTrump reportedly orders strike against Iran
Source and signal
- Open-source intake