Israel preparing with US for renewed Iran strikes as prospects for deal dim

Despite President Trump extending ceasefire, Israel increasingly pessimistic regarding the prospects for a deal with Iran.

By World Israel News Staff

Jerusalem is increasingly pessimistic regarding the prospects of a deal being reached between the United States and Israel, Israel’s national broadcaster reported on Tuesday night.

Despite a ceasefire extension granted by President Donald Trump, Israel believes the negotiations will fail to achieve a major breakthrough, with Israel’s leadership viewing the talks as little more than an attempt by Iran to delay a resumption of the war with the US and Israel.

“The Iranians are trying to stall for time and are speaking in multiple voices,” a senior official told Kan. “We and the Americans are coordinated and ready to resume the war immediately.”

Official said that Israel and the US have been preparing for a possible resumption of the conflict since the ceasefire began, including exercises involving fighter jets and refueling aircraft across the Middle East.

Joint plans and a target bank were approved during last week’s visit to Israel by CENTCOM chief Adm. Brad Cooper.

Those plans reportedly included possible strikes on Iranian national and energy infrastructure to increase pressure on Tehran to give up its nuclear program and its stockpiles of enriched uranium.

The report surfaced as the diplomatic track remained shaky, amid conflicting reports regarding whether the planned second round of talks in Islamabad will take place.

Reuters reported earlier this month that the mood inside the White House heading into talks with Iran was skeptical, with officials unsure whether Iran’s negotiators had the authority to make meaningful commitments. Reuters also said there were major gaps between Washington’s demands and Tehran’s position, including over uranium enrichment, sanctions relief, missiles and Iran’s regional proxies.

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump announced that he was extending the ceasefire with Iran without setting a deadline, saying Tehran’s leadership was “seriously fractured” and needed more time to produce a unified proposal.

Trump said the US military would maintain its naval blockade and “remain ready and able” to resume the war if necessary.

Axios reported that the ceasefire extension came after Iran refused to take part in a new round of talks in Islamabad and amid internal divisions in Tehran over whether to negotiate while the blockade remains in place.

Iranian officials and advisers, meanwhile, warned that extending the ceasefire while maintaining military pressure could be a prelude to another attack.

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