With attempts to reach an agreement to end the faltering war, an Israeli assessment suggests that the US president currently faces two options for dealing with Iran:
An Israeli source told the newspaper Yediot Aharonot that "Mr. Trump" now has two options: either a limited and controlled military operation that does not lead to escalation, or a temporary agreement that allows negotiations to continue and the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened.
The source added that Israel wants to resume fighting by launching strikes on energy and infrastructure targets, which would significantly weaken the regime, as well as bombarding to ground major parts of Lebanon.
But according to the newspaper at this stage, it seems that Israel and the United States view things differently. Trump is not keen on a full-scale resumption of fighting, and the interim agreement will calm the situation between the two sides, allowing the strait to reopen, but it will not resolve all the issues."
In contrast, the Israelis believe that "Trump neither desires nor longs for a full-scale resumption of fighting, because he believes that this will not improve his position, but will rather complicate matters for him domestically. With another rise in energy prices and harm to allied countries," according to Yediot Aharonot's assessment.
The newspaper reports, according to an Israeli source, believes that "Israel prefers a more assertive approach, but does not want to be accused of dragging the American president into renewed fighting."
It adds that "one of the possibilities under discussion in Washington, the Americans might choose a limited military operation and continue the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz; in that case, they might ask for Israel commitment to neutrality and non-intervention, recognizing that Israel's response would be harsh if Iran launched missiles at it, potentially leading to a full-blown war.
The Israeli source stated that "neither the Iranians nor the Americans want a full-scale resumption of the war, so Israel may remain neutral this time."
However, according to Yediot Ahronoth, "Israel is preparing for all eventualities, including a scenario in which Trump orders a resumption of hostilities and Iran resumes launching missiles at Israel."
The newspaper noted that there's "concern in Israel" that Americans are only discussing the nuclear issue and the Strait of Hormuz with the Iranians, without ever mentioning ballistic missiles or proxies in the region—two crucial issues for Israel.
However, it is likely in Israel that Trump will wait until his return from his visit to China early next week to take his next step regarding Iran.
A good report/analysis translated from the Lebanese news site "Lebanon 24", based on Israeli newspapers reports, copied here for better understanding of the weird situation over the entire Middle-East affecting the safety of the entire world.
As always, my many thanks to all.
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