Israeli officials believe US President Donald Trump is preparing to significantly escalate the American military campaign against Iran, according to two Israeli officials. As U.S. Central Command enters its 11th consecutive day of strikes, having hit approximately 1,000 targets, Israeli leadership is assessing the likelihood that such an expansion will trigger a direct Iranian retaliation against Israel.
Escalation Plans and Strategic Targets
The U.S. military campaign appears poised to intensify, with President Trump signaling that the U.S. will be hitting the Pickaxe Mountain area “pretty soon.” This site, located near Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment facility, contains two deeply buried tunnel complexes. According to expert assessments, these structures are considered beyond the reach of the most powerful bunker-buster bombs currently in the U.S. arsenal.
Despite the intensity of the strikes, President Trump told Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Tuesday that Tehran remains “desperate” to hold talks, while warning that the regime has “not seen anything yet.”
Israeli Security Consultations
The prospect of a broader conflict has prompted urgent high-level reviews in Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a six-hour security consultation on Monday night, bringing together senior defense officials and government ministers to evaluate the evolving situation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Diplomatic Outlook and Potential Shifts
The window for a diplomatic resolution appears to be closing. A source informed The Jerusalem Post earlier this week that the question is no longer whether President Trump will strike, but rather when. The source noted that the administration now views the chances of a diplomatic solution as “virtually nonexistent,” barring any unexpected developments.
However, the path forward remains fluid. While the current trajectory points toward an escalation, another official cautioned that President Trump has changed course “at the last minute” in previous instances, suggesting that his final decision could still shift depending on circumstances.