Israeli political sources said the government is pushing back against key elements of a US proposal to end the war with Iran, describing the dispute as fundamental rather than technical.
They said three of the plan’s 15 clauses are at the heart of disagreements with the administration of US President Donald Trump.
Israel’s public broadcaster Kan 11, citing two sources familiar with the proposal, said the sticking points include vague language on the future of Iran’s ballistic missile program, the transfer of enriched uranium to the International Atomic Energy Agency, and sweeping relief from US and European sanctions.
Israel says talks with Washington are ongoing and that revisions to the draft remain possible. A source close to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the government aims to end the war within two weeks.
But Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir warned the security cabinet of a potential “collapse” of the army as it fights on multiple fronts. Other officials still fear Trump could impose a temporary ceasefire to open talks with Tehran.
Channel 12 quoted senior officials as saying Israel would be notified in advance of any US move toward negotiations, but its influence is currently limited.
A senior Israeli security official said Iran can sustain its current rate of fire for weeks, with enough launch platforms and personnel to stagger attacks over time. Israel’s security establishment has recommended continuing the war until Iran’s national infrastructure is struck.
“If we stop now, we will be close to our goals, but there is still more to complete,” an Israeli source said.
Channel 12 reported no signs of a breakthrough in US-Iran contacts. Instead, it cited indications of US military planning for a major strike on Tehran.
It said prospects for a deal are currently low, prompting the US Department of Defense to prepare options for what it described as a “decisive blow,” potentially involving ground operations and a wide bombing campaign if diplomacy stalls and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.
Yedioth Ahronoth said Trump is offering incentives to draw Iran into talks while preparing for a powerful strike, describing the mixed messaging as a complex wartime deception.
An Israeli source confirmed reports by Axios and Channel 12, citing informed US officials, that Washington is weighing scenarios including taking control of Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub, targeting Larak Island, reinforcing control over the Strait of Hormuz, seizing Abu Musa and other Gulf islands, or intercepting Iranian oil shipments east of the strait.
The sources said the US military has also prepared plans for ground operations inside Iran to secure highly enriched uranium at nuclear facilities, though the scenario is seen as complex and risky. An alternative would be large-scale airstrikes on those sites to deny Iran access to the material.
Israeli media said Zamir warned the cabinet of a possible army “collapse” due to multi-front fighting and shortages in personnel and resources.
At a daily briefing on Thursday, the military spokesperson said the army lacks 15,000 troops, including 8,000 combat soldiers.
Reports added that Zamir raised 10 “red flags” over the army’s condition and warned of escalating “Jewish terrorist attacks” by settlers in the occupied West Bank.
He said another battalion had been deployed there, while the army’s central command believes one more is needed to complete the mission.
