An Israeli source familiar with the matter said that Israel will abide by the ceasefire decision taken by US President Donald Trump but is doing so reluctantly, according to CNN. Follow Live Updates Here
The source said Israel still has additional military targets inside Iran and broader strategic goals it had intended to pursue, indicating unease within the Israeli establishment over pausing operations at this stage.
Despite these reservations, Israeli leadership has publicly aligned with Washington. When asked in March whether Israel would halt its attacks if the US reached a ceasefire, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stopped short of a direct answer but acknowledged the US President’s leadership.
Also Read: Iran’s Supreme Leader Orders Army To Halt Fire After US Announces Ceasefire, Warns ‘Not End Of War’
“Ultimately, President Trump makes his own decisions, and do I respect them? Yes, I do,” Netanyahu said during an interview earlier in March.
US Signals Through Strikes
According to AP, the US administration had communicated to Israeli officials that recent military strikes on Iran were meant as a strategic signal rather than a full escalation.
The strikes targeted military assets on Kharg Island as well as major petrochemical hubs in Mahshahr and Assaluyeh earlier on Tuesday. Officials indicated these actions were designed to demonstrate to Tehran what could follow if the conflict intensified further.
A person familiar with internal deliberations said some Israeli officials believed Trump, despite his increasingly strong rhetoric, may have been seeking an off-ramp as his self-imposed deadline approached.
Also Read: ‘Enemy Begged For Ceasefire’: Tehran Declares Victory As US-Iran Truce Takes Hold
However, Israeli officials remain skeptical about the durability of the ceasefire. According to sources, there are concerns that the agreement could quickly unravel depending on Iran’s next moves.
The skepticism stems in part from uncertainty over Tehran’s response and whether the ceasefire will hold beyond the short term. Officials believe the current pause may only be temporary and could lead to renewed escalation.
