Israeli security sources told Israel Today that they are preparing for an escalation as President Trump increases pressure on Iran. The sources assessed that Trump is likely to launch a significant attack on Iran but has not yet made a final decision. They said Iran would only attack Israel directly if Israel itself enters the conflict, but could target Israel as part of its deterrence strategy if Trump attacks the Houthis. The sources said Israel is on high alert and fully prepared for an Iranian attack.
Israeli security sources provided a more detailed assessment of potential Iranian retaliation scenarios in a statement to Israel Today this evening (Thursday, 21:49 Jerusalem), building on earlier reports of a 'waiting point' posture. The sources said they are preparing for an escalation driven by President Trump's increasing pressure on Iran, and assessed that Trump is likely to order a significant attack on a major target but has not yet made a final decision. The sources distinguished between two scenarios: Iran would only attack Israel directly if Israel itself enters the conflict, not on its own initiative. However, if Trump attacks the Houthis, Iran could target Israel as part of its deterrence strategy. The sources emphasized that if Iran does attack Israel directly, the situation would be entirely different, and Israel is on high alert and fully prepared.
This assessment follows a sequence of reports throughout Thursday. At 18:42, President Trump stated that he is considering a massive attack on Iran and that Israel would join if asked. At 20:01, The Zioneer published a series of updates: Israeli officials said Trump has not yet decided on the scope of a potential strike, Israel may not participate in the initial broad US attack, and the diplomatic track with Iran is blocked. At the same time, Israeli sources described the country as at a 'waiting point' ready to strike when Trump decides. At 21:04, The Zioneer reported the 'waiting point' assessment explicitly, citing Israeli security sources.
The evolving picture draws on assessments over the past week. On Tuesday, July 21, at 20:20 Jerusalem, an Israeli security assessment reported by i24NEWS said Trump is expected to significantly escalate strikes and that Israeli infrastructure could face direct Iranian retaliation. Earlier that day at 09:26, US officials told Fox News that if Trump orders a renewed broad operation, the strikes would be more powerful and Israel is expected to participate. On Wednesday, July 22, at 22:26 Jerusalem, a senior Israeli military official assessed that the US escalation will intensify and lead to Israeli intervention.
Trump's final decision remains pending. The Israeli military maintains high alertness but has not issued new public instructions. The assessment of a 'still too early to know' posture, as reported at 20:01, continues to hold.
6 developments
- StrongIsraeli assessment: Trump to significantly escalate strikes, warns of Iranian retaliation
- DevelopingIran threatens stronger retaliation if Israel strikes, amid Trump call for talks
- DevelopingIsraeli officials: Iran will avoid attacking Israel as long as US does not escalate; three scenarios for Israeli involvement
- DevelopingIsraeli security establishment braces for possible US strike on Iran, report says
Source and signal
- Internal intake