Israel may be preparing for another possible confrontation with Iran, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning Tehran that any attack on Israel could
be “one of their last decisions”. Speaking during a visit to a yeshiva in Sderot on Wednesday, Netanyahu said Iran was “attacking and threatening everyone” but had refrained from targeting Israel because Tehran understood the consequences of doing so. “Pay attention also to what is happening with Iran,” Netanyahu said. “They are attacking and threatening everyone, but not here, because they already know what the significance of an attack against Israel would be.” The warning comes as an Israeli security source told Al-Monitor that the Israeli Air Force remains on high alert and could resume operations against Iran at short notice.
Israeli Air Force Ready For Another Strike
The Israeli security source claimed the Air Force knows how to “pave the corridor back to the heart of Tehran” quickly if required. Israeli officials remain divided over whether another confrontation with Iran is imminent or could happen later. The source said the military was prepared for either possibility.
Since the US naval blockade began on April 13, Iran has reportedly targeted American bases in the Gulf and Jordan while avoiding direct attacks on Israel. Israeli officials believe Tehran's restraint could reflect either a decision to preserve Israel as an option for a later stage or concern over the consequences of an Israeli response.
Iran’s Nuclear Programme Could Be Main Target
Three Israeli diplomatic sources told Al-Monitor that if Israel returns to military action, its first priority would likely be what remains of Iran's nuclear programme. They said Iran's nuclear infrastructure suffered significant damage during strikes last June and again this year, including damage involving buried stockpiles of weapons-grade enriched uranium.
Strikes against the Iranian regime or wider national infrastructure would reportedly be secondary objectives rather than the main focus.The sources also said Israel views US efforts against Iranian radar systems, missile capabilities and naval mines as lower priorities for Israel, despite their importance to American forces and regional shipping. “With all due respect to the Strait of Hormuz, we are less focused on it,” a source close to Netanyahu told Al-Monitor.
Netanyahu Signals War Is Not Over
Netanyahu's latest comments also came while addressing the wider fighting in Gaza, where he claimed Israel had altered the security situation and continued targeting Hamas leadership. He said Israel was “changing the reality” around it and removing threats against the country. His remarks underline the Israeli government's broader position that military operations against its adversaries remain an ongoing part of its security strategy.
At the same time, the Israeli security source suggested that Washington's own political calendar could influence the timing of any major escalation. The source said the working assumption was that the US president would avoid launching a major new operation before the midterm elections and instead consolidate existing gains.
