By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

An Israeli official said Saturday that at least another week of intense fighting with Iran is expected, as ceasefire efforts between Tehran and Washington have stalled and military operations continue to expand.

Israeli officials have been updated that talks between Iran and the United States on a ceasefire have “reached a dead end,” according to a report aired on Kan News.

The report added that the US is planning strikes on Iranian goverment infrastructure.

A separate report overnight in The Wall Street Journal said regional mediation efforts, led by Pakistan, to broker a ceasefire between the US and Iran have failed, citing intermediaries involved in the discussions.

President Trump addressed his previously issued 10-day ultimatum to Iran, demanding a deal and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. “They have 48 hours left, otherwise the gates of hell will open upon them,” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.

According to opposition Iranian media reports, the Israeli Air Force carried out strikes earlier Saturday on petrochemical facilities in Khuzestan in southwestern Iran, near the borders with Iraq and Kuwait.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later confirmed that Israel had targeted the facilities.

Israeli security officials were quoted in a Friday report as saying Iran’s economy is expected to become the next focus of the campaign.

In recent days, senior Israeli and US officials have said the conflict is in its “final stretch” following strikes on Iran’s defense industry.

A diplomatic source told Kan News on Saturday that senior Israel Defense Forces officials are coordinating with Russian counterparts to facilitate the departure of Russian experts from the Bushehr nuclear reactor.

The move was described as a form of “safe passage” out of Iran. Reports indicated that evacuations began in recent hours following another strike near the facility.

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The order was given Tuesday after Netanyahu reviewed a US-backed 15-point proposal aimed at halting the conflict.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Israel has intensified efforts to strike key targets inside Iran after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed the military to inflict maximum damage on Iran’s arms industry within 48 hours amid expectations that US President Donald Trump could move to end the war, The New York Times reported, citing Israeli officials and others familiar with the matter.

The order was given Tuesday after Netanyahu reviewed a US-backed 15-point proposal aimed at halting the conflict.

Israeli officials involved in the discussions do not believe the plan would eliminate Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities.

Officials also believe Trump could announce a ceasefire by the end of the week or, at the latest, by the middle of next week. They assess that he is seeking a month-long pause in fighting and could declare it on his own.

Against that backdrop, Israeli leadership is seeking to act quickly, focusing on high-priority targets tied to Iran’s military production.

Netanyahu addressed the situation Monday following Trump’s public comments about talks with Iran, saying Israel would continue to safeguard its interests.

“Earlier today, I spoke with our friend, President Trump. He believes there is an opportunity to leverage the tremendous achievements of the IDF and the US military in order to achieve the objectives of the war through an agreement that will preserve our vital interests,” Netanyahu said.

The New York Times reported that Netanyahu’s directive reflects concern within Israel’s leadership that a diplomatic breakthrough could halt operations before key military objectives are achieved. Israeli officials remain doubtful that the proposed arrangement would adequately address the threats posed by Iran’s weapons programs.

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It also said Iran is calling for the removal of US military bases from the region and financial compensation for wartime damage.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Iran has put forward a series of conditions for ending the war as indirect talks announced by President Donald Trump move forward, according to reports by Channel 12.

The network reported that Tehran is demanding binding assurances that hostilities will not resume, along with changes to the status of the Strait of Hormuz that would place it effectively under Iranian control.

It also said Iran is calling for the removal of US military bases from the region and financial compensation for wartime damage.

In parallel, Channel 12 cited a separate report describing what it said are Iran’s initial negotiating positions as understood by the United States, though no sources were named. That account suggested Tehran may be showing some limited flexibility behind closed doors.

According to the report, Iran could agree to halt its ballistic missile program for five years and “reduce” its uranium enrichment. It may also be open to discussions regarding its stockpile of 60 percent enriched uranium.

Additional potential steps outlined in the report include allowing inspections of remaining centrifuges by the International Atomic Energy Agency and ending support for regional proxy groups, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iraqi militias.

The reports indicate that while Iran is publicly advancing firm demands tied to the outcome of the conflict, it may also be exploring concessions as part of the negotiating process linked to the Trump-announced indirect talks.

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Netanyahu said: “At the same time, we continue to strike both in Iran and in Lebanon, dismantling the missile and nuclear program piece by piece, and continuing to deal severe blows to Hezbollah.”

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will safeguard its interests even as US President Donald Trump pursues talks with Iran aimed at ending the war, following a call between the two leaders on Monday.

“Earlier today, I spoke with our friend, President Trump. He believes there is an opportunity to leverage the tremendous achievements of the IDF and the US military in order to achieve the objectives of the war through an agreement that will preserve our vital interests,” Netanyahu said.

He added, “At the same time, we continue to strike both in Iran and in Lebanon, dismantling the missile and nuclear program piece by piece, and continuing to deal severe blows to Hezbollah.”

Netanyahu said recent operations included targeting individuals tied to Iran’s nuclear program. “Just a few days ago, we eliminated two more nuclear scientists, and more actions are forthcoming. We will safeguard our vital interests under all circumstances,” he said.

Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday that the United States has held “very good and productive conversations” with Iran in recent days aimed at reaching a “complete and total resolution” of hostilities in the Middle East.

He continued, “I am pleased to report that the United States of America, and the country of Iran, have had, over the last two days, very good and productive conversations,” adding that the discussions focused on ending the conflict. He said the talks were “in depth, detailed, and constructive” and would continue throughout the week.

Citing what he described as the “tenor and tone” of the exchanges, Trump said he had ordered a temporary halt to planned military action. “I have instructed the Department of War to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five day period,” he wrote, noting the pause would depend on the outcome of ongoing discussions.

The announcement signaled a possible diplomatic track, with the delay in strikes tied to whether the talks continue to progress.

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“Israel has never been stronger, and Iran has never been weaker,” Netanyahu declared.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the foreign press on Thursday night, outlining what he described as joint Israeli and US gains 20 days into the war against Iran and asserting that Tehran can no longer enrich uranium or produce ballistic missiles.

“And already now, after 20 days, I can tell you that Iran does not have the opportunity to enrich uranium and it does not have the opportunity to create ballistic missiles,” Netanyahu said, adding that Israel is “winning” alongside the United States.

He said the campaign is focused on three objectives: eliminating Iran’s nuclear program, dismantling its ballistic missile capabilities and “creating the conditions that will allow the Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands.” He added that Israel is now targeting not only weapons systems but also “the industries that allow the creation of these programs.”

Netanyahu emphasized close coordination with Washington, describing ties with President Donald Trump as unprecedented. He dismissed claims that Israel had drawn the United States into the war as “ridiculous,” saying Trump makes independent decisions and that the two leaders “see eye to eye” on Iran.

The remarks followed Trump’s criticism of an Israeli strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field. Netanyahu said Israel acted alone and that Trump later asked Israel to refrain from further such attacks.

He cited the destruction of senior Iranian command centers, missile and air defense systems, and the killing of key figures, including Ali Larijani, as part of what he called “tremendous achievements.” He said Israel has also destroyed hundreds of missiles and launchers and struck targets across multiple domains in coordination with US efforts.

Netanyahu said Iran has attacked civilians and US-linked assets across the Middle East and beyond, and he accused Tehran of attempting to blackmail the world by threatening the Strait of Hormuz.

“So today, Israel and the United States are protecting America, Israel, the entire Middle East, but I venture to say the entire world,” he said.

The prime minister acknowledged continued Iranian attacks causing casualties in Israel, but said the damage was far below what Tehran had planned. While there are signs of internal strain in Iran, it is too early to predict regime collapse, though any surviving leadership would be significantly weakened, he said.

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