Israeli Govt Instructs Military to Prepare for US Strikes against Iran

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz attends a cabinet meeting. Photo: Abir Sultan/POOL/AFP via Getty
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz attends a cabinet meeting. Photo: Abir Sultan/POOL/AFP via Getty
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Israeli Govt Instructs Military to Prepare for US Strikes against Iran

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz attends a cabinet meeting. Photo: Abir Sultan/POOL/AFP via Getty
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz attends a cabinet meeting. Photo: Abir Sultan/POOL/AFP via Getty

Israel’s government instructed the military to prepare for a possible US strike against Iran during the remainder of President Donald Trump’s term, according to military sources.

The instructions were given because officials anticipate “a very sensitive period” prior to the Jan. 20 inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden, and not because of any intelligence or assessment that the US will order an attack.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz has spoken twice over the past two weeks with US Defense Secretary Christopher Miller to discuss the Iranian issue, the situation in Syria and the security memorandum of understanding between Israel and the US.

If the Trump administration acts against Iran, Israel is expected to receive advance warning of the action. However, due to the great uncertainty, the army has been instructed to ensure that Israel’s defense systems are ready for any scenario that may arise from a US attack on Iran, the sources added.

In case of a US attack against Iran, the latter might strike Israeli targets through its militias or “Hezbollah” forces in Syria, or even from Hezbollah's locations in the Lebanese south.

Citing four current and former US officials, The New York Times reported that a meeting occurred in the Oval Office two weeks ago. Trump asked senior aides what possibilities he had for an offensive strike on Iran's primary nuclear site in Natanz.

Senior advisers including Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Vice President Mike Pence dissuaded Trump, but he might still be looking at ways to strike Iranian assets and allies.

Pompeo recently visited Europe and the Middle East – State Department officials, meanwhile, told reporters that “all options are on the table,” regarding Iran.



‘Nobody Knows:’ Trump Won’t Say Whether He Will Move Forward with US Strikes on Iran

US President Donald Trump looks on during the installation of a new flagpole on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, DC, US, June 18, 2025. (Reuters)
US President Donald Trump looks on during the installation of a new flagpole on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, DC, US, June 18, 2025. (Reuters)
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‘Nobody Knows:’ Trump Won’t Say Whether He Will Move Forward with US Strikes on Iran

US President Donald Trump looks on during the installation of a new flagpole on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, DC, US, June 18, 2025. (Reuters)
US President Donald Trump looks on during the installation of a new flagpole on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, DC, US, June 18, 2025. (Reuters)

President Donald Trump would not say Wednesday whether he has decided to order a US strike on Iran, a move that Tehran warned anew would be greeted with stiff retaliation if it happens.

"I may do it, I may not do it," Trump said in an exchange with reporters at the White House. "I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do."

Trump added that it’s not "too late" for Iran to give up its nuclear program as he continues to weigh direct US involvement in Israel's military operations aimed at crushing Tehran's nuclear program.

"Nothing’s too late," Trump said. "I can tell you this. Iran’s got a lot of trouble."

"Nothing is finished until it is finished," Trump added. But "the next week is going to be very big— maybe less than a week."

He also offered a terse response to Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's refusal to heed to his call for Iran to submit to an unconditional surrender.

"I say good luck," Trump said.

Khamenei earlier Wednesday warned that any United States strikes targeting Iran will "result in irreparable damage for them" and that his country would not bow to Trump’s call for surrender.

Trump said Tuesday the US knows where Iran’s Khamenei is hiding as the Israel-Iran conflict escalates but doesn’t want him killed — "for now."

"He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now," Trump said.

Trump’s increasingly muscular comments toward the Iranian government come after he urged Tehran’s 9.5 million residents to flee for their lives as he cut short his participation in an international summit earlier this week to return to Washington for urgent talks with his national security team.