Israel on High Alert as U.S. Moves Closer to a Decision on Iran; Trump Says, "This Is the Calm Before the Storm"

In recent days, the assessment in Israel has been growing that the United States may be moving closer to a decision on military action against Iran. Although officials in Jerusalem cannot point to an exact date when Washington might renew fighting against Tehran, the assessment is that if a decision is made, it is not expected to be carried out immediately, and that at least a few more days will pass before President Donald Trump makes a final call on the issue.

Against this backdrop of uncertainty, the IDF is stepping up its operational preparations. In Israel, officials believe that whether the United States chooses a limited, targeted move or launches a broader operation, Iran may respond in ways that also include attempted action against Israel.

As part of these preparations, especially close coordination is taking place between Israel and the United States. The IDF is maintaining continuous contact with CENTCOM, the U.S. military's Central Command, and conversations between IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper are taking place almost daily. In Israel, officials believe that if the United States decides to carry out a strike, Washington will update Jerusalem in advance, allowing time for operational preparations and for informing the public.

At the same time, the White House is continuing to weigh its next steps, with Trump facing pressure from several directions. Among other factors, China is pressuring the United States to avoid opening another campaign against Iran and to choose the path of an agreement instead.

Douglas Macgregor, a retired U.S. Army colonel who served as a senior adviser at the Pentagon, warned that there is "intense movement of U.S. Air Force aircraft in the skies over the Middle East," and added: "Get ready!".

Open-source intelligence sources are also reporting significant movement of transport aircraft and refueling planes, with some pointing to an activity pattern similar to the one seen before February 28, the day Operation "Mighty Wrath" began.

Overnight, Trump himself added fuel to the speculation when he posted on Truth Social, writing: "This was the calm before the storm." The post included an AI-generated image showing Iranian ships in rough seas, in what appeared to be a hint at the Strait of Hormuz. In another post, Trump wrote "Space Force," while appearing to press the "red button" against a backdrop of launches.

In recent days, the assessment in Israel has been growing that the United States may be moving closer to a decision on military action against Iran. Although officials in Jerusalem cannot point to an exact date when Washington might renew fighting against Tehran, the assessment is that if a decision is made, it is not expected to be carried out immediately, and that at least a few more days will pass before President Donald Trump makes a final call on the issue.

Against this backdrop of uncertainty, the IDF is stepping up its operational preparations. In Israel, officials believe that whether the United States chooses a limited, targeted move or launches a broader operation, Iran may respond in ways that also include attempted action against Israel.

As part of these preparations, especially close coordination is taking place between Israel and the United States. The IDF is maintaining continuous contact with CENTCOM, the U.S. military's Central Command, and conversations between IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper are taking place almost daily. In Israel, officials believe that if the United States decides to carry out a strike, Washington will update Jerusalem in advance, allowing time for operational preparations and for informing the public.

At the same time, the White House is continuing to weigh its next steps, with Trump facing pressure from several directions. Among other factors, China is pressuring the United States to avoid opening another campaign against Iran and to choose the path of an agreement instead.

Douglas Macgregor, a retired U.S. Army colonel who served as a senior adviser at the Pentagon, warned that there is "intense movement of U.S. Air Force aircraft in the skies over the Middle East," and added: "Get ready!".

Open-source intelligence sources are also reporting significant movement of transport aircraft and refueling planes, with some pointing to an activity pattern similar to the one seen before February 28, the day Operation "Mighty Wrath" began.

Overnight, Trump himself added fuel to the speculation when he posted on Truth Social, writing: "This was the calm before the storm." The post included an AI-generated image showing Iranian ships in rough seas, in what appeared to be a hint at the Strait of Hormuz. In another post, Trump wrote "Space Force," while appearing to press the "red button" against a backdrop of launches.