Senior security official to Walla: IDF in high readiness for possibility of escalation with Iran
According to the source, coordination with the US military continues and is defined as "tight." This comes against the backdrop of Donald Trump's intensified threats toward Tehran and reports that the US President seeks to exert pressure to gain an advantage in negotiations rather than expand the war.
The IDF continues to maintain a high state of readiness for the possibility of escalation with Iran, a senior security official told Walla today, Monday. According to him, coordination with the US military continues and is defined as "tight."
Against the backdrop of tensions in the Middle East, US President Donald Trump intensified his threats toward Tehran, telling reporters:
"This is their last chance to sign the agreement."
According to the US President, and contrary to messages heard throughout the day from the Islamic Republic, "talks with Iran are taking place even now." When asked about potential Iranian actions in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump replied:
"I will not let them charge anything. If anyone charges, it will be us. We have full control of the strait. We have, what is called, a naval blockade through our fleet - there will be no charging."
Regarding the repeated cancellation of strikes on Iran since April, Trump noted: "I think maybe we will achieve something, but I want to give them every last chance before heads roll."
Parallel to Trump's statements, CBS reported that the US President is not interested in expanding the war, but seeks to exert pressure to gain an advantage in negotiations. This assessment is growing within the Iranian leadership. According to sources in Iran, the series of threats and retreats by Trump has strengthened the feeling that the White House is primarily seeking to improve its positions at the negotiating table rather than launch a broad campaign.
Assessments in Tehran suggest the regime is capable of absorbing military and economic pressure while simultaneously raising the price for the US through regional proxies, led by the Houthis in Yemen, as well as through a continuous threat to international shipping. According to these sources, the feeling in Tehran is that time is working in Iran's favor, and the longer the confrontation lasts, the greater the pressure on the US will be to reach a settlement.
