New Israel-Iran war inevitable, will be far more intense: Report

Experts say negotiations to curb Iran’s nuclear efforts are “dead” as Israel remains dissatisfied with the results of Operation Rising Lion.

By World Israel News Staff

A new and potentially more intense round of conflict between Israel and Iran is on the horizon, security and intelligence experts told The New York Times.

Analysts warn that the next confrontation could eclipse the 12-day conflict in June — known as Operation Rising Lion — which included an American strike on Iranian nuclear facilities.

While President Donald Trump has touted that U.S. forces “obliterated” key aspects of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, Israeli officials are reportedly concerned that Iran has already made significant progress in rebuilding its nuclear program.

Against the backdrop of failed diplomatic efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions — and the inability of Europe’s so-called snapback sanctions to change Iran’s behavior — Israel is now evaluating its next move.

According to the Times, negotiations with Iran are effectively “dead,” and Iran is pursuing a new phase of nuclear development at its Pickaxe Mountain site, where it has refused access to international inspectors.

The report suggested that Israel is likely to strike Iran again, though it does not specify what form a new attack might take.

Ali Vaez, the Iran project director at the International Crisis Group, told the Times that in the event of an Israeli attack, Iran would retaliate far more aggressively than it did during the June fighting.

Iran will “hope to fire 2,000 [missiles] at once to overwhelm Israeli defenses, not 500 over 12 days,” Vaez warned.

He added that Israel appears dissatisfied with the results of Operation Rising Lion, which has prompted Iran to remain on high alert.

“Israel feels the job is unfinished and sees no reason not to resume the conflict, so Iran is doubling down on preparedness for the next round,” Vaez said.

H.A. Hellyer, a senior associate at the Center for American Progress and at London’s Royal United Services Institute, said there is no clear timeline for a renewed Israeli strike. According to him, an attack would occur once Iran crosses whatever nuclear threshold Israel considers intolerable.

“Israel wants to ensure that Iran’s nuclear program is contained, and they won’t get it through negotiations, so I suspect the Israelis intend to strike again,” Hellyer told the Times, adding that “the Iranians are rebuilding, but once they are past a certain line, Israel will attack again.”