Israel Escalates Military Threats against Iran

Israeli soldiers stand in front of an Iron Dome defense system battery in the Hula Valley (AFP/Getty Images)
Israeli soldiers stand in front of an Iron Dome defense system battery in the Hula Valley (AFP/Getty Images)
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Israel Escalates Military Threats against Iran

Israeli soldiers stand in front of an Iron Dome defense system battery in the Hula Valley (AFP/Getty Images)
Israeli soldiers stand in front of an Iron Dome defense system battery in the Hula Valley (AFP/Getty Images)

Israel has escalated threats of a "military attack" against Iran if the nuclear agreement negotiations failed.

The commander of the Northern Brigade in the Israeli army, Major General Amir Baram, asserted that Tel Aviv is prepared to confront any terrorist infrastructure, and Air Force commander, Major General Amikam Norkin, said that his forces are preparing to face the threat of Iranian missiles fired at Israeli towns.

The military editor of Maariv newspaper, Tal Lev-Ram, revealed Israel is preparing for a possible attack in Iran by focusing on the readiness of the air force.

Lev-Ram added that the army is working at a high pace to develop its capabilities to launch destructive operations against Iranian targets.

He indicated that the army will not be satisfied with strikes that obstruct the nuclear program, pointing to the expansion of Iran's "bank of targets."

Haaretz military analyst Amos Harel said Israeli officials are currently focusing on the political discourse, stressing that Tel Aviv has the "right to defend itself," leaving the army to direct military threats.

Meanwhile, a top expert in Israeli-US relations told Asharq Al-Awsat that the differences between Tel Aviv and Washington are minor and superficial.

"I do not want to say that Washington and Tel Aviv share roles in the battle against the Iranian project, but I am confident that they complement each other's," said the expert, adding that they share their views on the Iranian threat.

Former Mossad chief, Yossi Cohen, told Ynet news that the option of an Israeli military strike on Iran's nuclear sites must be seriously considered.

"Independent strikes on nuclear sites, if Iran takes this path that endangers our existence, should and must be on the table — unequivocally," he urged.

He indicated that a good deal could prevent Iran from reaching a nuclear bomb, and a bad agreement like the one signed in 2015 can't do it perfectly.

"The bottom line is that we must take away the capabilities from Iran because we will not be able to take away its motivations."

Cohen stated that Israel should demand a good agreement, hoping the US would understand the meaning of a "bad agreement."

The Israeli security apparatus urges the US to pay attention to the Iranian activity accompanying its nuclear project.

It sent a report to the Pentagon claiming Iran has transferred hundreds of drones to Syria, and dozens to Iraq, Yemen, and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The report stated that three out of the six Iranian attacks in the Middle East involved drones.

Haaretz daily quoted Israeli sources as estimating that Iran is pushing attacks against targets in the Arab Gulf using drones as a means of pressure aimed at advancing interests related to its nuclear program.



Sailor Killed in Gulf as Iran Says Tankers on Fire

Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, November 3, 2026. (Reuters)
Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, November 3, 2026. (Reuters)
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Sailor Killed in Gulf as Iran Says Tankers on Fire

Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, November 3, 2026. (Reuters)
Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, November 3, 2026. (Reuters)

A seafarer on a Greek-owned oil tanker was killed in an apparent missile attack in the Gulf, its owner said Friday, after Tehran said ships were on fire after hitting mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Velos Sapphire was sailing to Bahrain empty of cargo when the attack happened on Thursday, Velos Tankers said in a statement carried by the Greek news agency ANA.

The Athens-based company said the explosion was likely caused by an unidentified projectile that struck the vessel's port quarter, sparking a fire.

On Thursday, Iranian media reported that five oil tankers and a tugboat caught fire after hitting mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement carried by state media Friday, Iran's Revolutionary Guards said two more oil tankers were on fire in the strategic gateway to the energy-rich Gulf.

British maritime agency UKMTO said on Friday that the master of a tanker transiting the strait the previous day had reported an explosion "at the waterline, port side" off Oman.

"The crew are safe... The tanker is still under its own power and is continuing on its voyage," it added.

Since the outbreak of the Middle East war on February 28, Tehran has sought to limit traffic through the waterway, which normally carries about one-fifth of global oil consumption.

The United States has in response imposed a blockade on Iranian ports and escorted tankers through the strait.


Rubio Denies Plans to Leave Post for White House Bid

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony with Paraguay's Foreign Minister Ruben Ramirez Lezcano on strategic civil nuclear cooperation, at the State Department in Washington, DC, US, August 4, 2026. (Reuters)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony with Paraguay's Foreign Minister Ruben Ramirez Lezcano on strategic civil nuclear cooperation, at the State Department in Washington, DC, US, August 4, 2026. (Reuters)
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Rubio Denies Plans to Leave Post for White House Bid

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony with Paraguay's Foreign Minister Ruben Ramirez Lezcano on strategic civil nuclear cooperation, at the State Department in Washington, DC, US, August 4, 2026. (Reuters)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony with Paraguay's Foreign Minister Ruben Ramirez Lezcano on strategic civil nuclear cooperation, at the State Department in Washington, DC, US, August 4, 2026. (Reuters)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed reports Thursday that he was planning to leave the Trump administration as he weighs his next moves after Republicans' losses in midterm elections, according to The New York Times.

It has "always been my plan" to work for President Donald Trump until the end of his term, Rubio told The Times in an interview.

Rubio, who also serves as Trump's national security adviser, is widely considered a potential successor to Trump in the 2028 presidential race.

Just days before Tuesday's midterm elections, he made an unusual appearance alongside the US leader on the campaign trail, briefly stepping up on the podium to address a cheering crowd at a rally.

Rubio declined to answer questions about his political future on Thursday, however, saying: "I literally will not talk about 2028 anymore."

On reports that he was considering an exit from the Trump administration, he told The New York Times: "I don't know where these things come from, to be honest with you."

Earlier Thursday, Bloomberg News reported that Rubio was weighing whether to leave the administration.

The report added that Rubio spoke to White House officials about stepping down, and was asked to stay.

But the State Department has hit back sharply against reports that Rubio might leave.

Dylan Johnson, Assistant Secretary of State for global public affairs, called the Bloomberg article "totally made up."

He also called a report by news outlet The Independent, which said Rubio was planning to launch a bid for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination, "completely baseless fake news."

Rubio has previously said that he would support Vice President JD Vance if he ran for president.

Vance is also widely considered a possible 2028 candidate.


Trump Says to ‘Soon’ Take Decision on Whether to Resume Iran War

A hat reading "VETO" sits on the Resolute Desk as US President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, DC, on November 5, 2026. (AFP)
A hat reading "VETO" sits on the Resolute Desk as US President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, DC, on November 5, 2026. (AFP)
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Trump Says to ‘Soon’ Take Decision on Whether to Resume Iran War

A hat reading "VETO" sits on the Resolute Desk as US President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, DC, on November 5, 2026. (AFP)
A hat reading "VETO" sits on the Resolute Desk as US President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, DC, on November 5, 2026. (AFP)

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he would decide “soon” on whether to resume the war on Iran following a meeting with his top national security advisers.

"Now we will make a decision," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

"Do we want to go further" with strikes to ensure Iran's nuclear program is over and that "it will never happen again?" he added.

"I would rather not destroy the rest of the country if possible, but maybe I will have to. You'll know soon enough."

Trump held meetings at the White House on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss the resumption of military operations, according to senior officials who spoke to US media.

While the US Central Command continues its military preparations, Qatari mediators are advancing a draft agreement aimed at fostering confidence between Washington and Tehran.

The president, at least for now, is considering three options: launch new strikes, continue to strangle Iran's regime economically, or cut a deal that includes significant concessions to the Iranians, reported Axios.

Trump on Thursday said Iran could not do ‌anything regarding ‌its nuclear program ‌without ⁠US approval.

"They're not ⁠doing anything without our approval," ⁠Trump told reporters ‌in ‌the Oval ‌Office ‌in response to a question regarding a ‌set of proposals made ⁠to ⁠Iran by mediators about the future of its nuclear program.