Israel’s security cabinet, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has directed the military to increase readiness for a potential attack on Iran, according to reports from Israeli media outlets. The directives were issued as political tensions within Israel intensify, with opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot urging Netanyahu to refrain from military action without clear and immediate threats until a new government is formed. Netanyahu, facing a diminished parliamentary majority following recent elections, has maintained that military operations against Iran will persist until the Iranian government collapses.
Iranian officials have responded with escalatory rhetoric. Mohsen Rezaei, Iran’s security chief, stated through social media that any US-initiated military action would make military installations across West Asia and Europe legitimate targets for Iranian strikes. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, serving as lead negotiator, emphasized Iran’s determination to move beyond the current stalemate through what he termed “sustainable deterrence” if negotiations collapse. He also noted that the Strait of Hormuz will never return to its previous state and placed responsibility for progress on the United States.
Diplomacy remains active on multiple fronts. US President Donald Trump has indicated willingness to resume military operations if Qatar-mediated negotiations with Tehran fail. However, US officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio have suggested that economic pressure is sufficiently effective to make large-scale military engagement unnecessary unless Iran violates specific redlines. Negotiations are hindered by Iranian distrust of the United States, with Tehran rejecting a proposal to transfer its uranium stockpile to a third country.
Market reactions reflected the geopolitical uncertainty. Oil prices rose approximately 1 percent following Iran’s rejection of the uranium transfer proposal, with Brent crude closing at $92.76 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate at $86.53. Meanwhile, US military forces continue enforcing a naval blockade around Iran and maintaining freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
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