Jerusalem/Washington — President Donald Trump has warned of “fresh action” against Iran, while Israel has gone on high alert as both nations brace for the possibility of renewed military confrontation in the Middle East.
IDF forces have increased military readiness and are conducting high-level consultations to monitor developments from the White House and Pentagon, according to Israeli security sources.
Trump is being briefed by U.S. CENTCOM Chief Adm. Brad Cooper on potential military options, including “short and powerful” strikes designed to pressure Tehran during ongoing nuclear negotiations.
Trump: “Iran Is Dying to Make a Deal—But They Cannot Be Nuclear”
Speaking from the White House, Trump signaled diplomatic openness alongside military preparation.
“I mean, Iran is dying to make a deal,” Trump said. “But they’ve got to, they cannot be nuclear.”
He added, “We have a problem because nobody knows for sure who the leaders are… The leaders have been wiped out, along with their military.”
The U.S. military options reportedly include operations targeting the Strait of Hormuz to ensure commercial shipping flows, as well as Special Forces missions aimed at Iran’s enriched uranium supply.
Israel Prepares for “Days-Within” Conflict
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a phone call with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, discussed the possibility of U.S. intervention in Iran, according to an Israeli source present for the conversation.
Netanyahu has warned of “horrible consequences for Iran if it were to attack Israel,” while also noting the internal political situation unfolding in Tehran.
Iran Threatens “Harsh Response” to Any Attack
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded sharply to Trump’s warnings, stating: “Answer of Islamic Republic of Iran to any cruel aggression will be harsh and discouraging.”
Ali Shamkhani, a top adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, posted on X: “Iran’s missile capability and defense are not containable or permission-based. Any aggression will face an immediate harsh response beyond its planners’ imagination.”
Global Markets and Energy Security on Edge
The escalation has global implications, with oil markets reacting nervously to potential disruption of the Strait of Hormuz—a critical chokepoint handling roughly 20% of global oil trade.
Pentagon sources confirm carrier strike groups and B-52 bombers are positioned for immediate kinetic operations as diplomatic efforts intensify.
What This Means for the Region
The military buildup and diplomatic signals suggest Washington is pursuing a “maximum pressure” approach while keeping the door open for negotiations. However, analysts warn the window for de-escalation is shrinking rapidly.
As Israel remains on high alert and Trump prepares potential fresh strikes, the threat of a wider US-Iran-Israel conflict looms larger than at any point in recent months—raising urgent questions about regional stability, energy prices, and the path to peace.
