Israeli leaders are publicly signaling their country's preparedness to strike Iran for a third time, with Defense Minister Israel Katz stating the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are on high alert and ready to resume military action to counter threats.
"If we have to return, we will return with even greater force," Katz said Thursday at an Israeli Air Force pilot graduation ceremony. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed this sentiment, warning that Israel's campaign against Iran was not concluded and that Tehran would be prevented from obtaining nuclear weapons, regardless of any agreement with Washington.
"The war has not yet ended," Netanyahu stated at the same ceremony. "Alongside the old challenges, new challenges are emerging. Axes are falling, and axes are rising. We are paying attention to this. We are prepared for every scenario."
These public statements come as U.S. officials maintain close coordination with Jerusalem, according to a U.S. official who spoke to Fox News Digital. This coordination was crucial for the success of recent operations, including "Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury," the official added, refuting reports that the U.S. does not want Israel involved in current strikes.
The Israeli military launched a significant campaign against Iran in June 2025, with the U.S. joining later to strike nuclear facilities. A new, coordinated campaign began on February 28.
Despite public declarations of readiness, some Israeli officials and analysts suggest a limited appetite for renewed fighting unless it yields a clear strategic benefit. Israeli analyst Nadav Eyal noted that while Israel signals preparedness publicly, off-the-record sentiment is different, citing the likelihood of Iranian ballistic missile attacks against Israel in response to any Israeli strike.
Eyal also pointed to domestic political considerations for Prime Minister Netanyahu, particularly with an upcoming election. He suggested that initiating another round of fighting without significant strategic gains could be politically challenging.
Concurrently, President Donald Trump declared that the ceasefire with Iran was over. "The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue ‘talks.’ We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!" Trump posted on Truth Social.
Qatari negotiators, in coordination with the U.S., have traveled to Iran to engage with Iranian officials and de-escalate tensions to facilitate renewed negotiations. Netanyahu and Trump spoke by phone on Thursday, with the Israeli prime minister's office stating they agreed to continue coordinating on regional fronts and that Trump briefed Netanyahu on U.S. operations in the Gulf.
The military warnings coincided with a Wall Street Journal report indicating that Israel had shared intelligence with the U.S. regarding a fresh Iranian plot to assassinate Trump. This comes amid renewed attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which U.S. naval officials described as a "severe" maritime threat.
A U.S. official characterized Iran's attacks on commercial vessels as "acts of terrorism" and a failure to uphold the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, while reaffirming the U.S. commitment to a resolution and stating, "Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon."
Former senior Israeli military intelligence officer Brig. Gen. Yossi Kuperwasser stated that Israel never viewed the memorandum of understanding as an adequate guarantee and that Israel should remain on high alert, prepared to retaliate if necessary.
For the moment, Israel's leadership appears intent on conveying its readiness to act. The extent to which the U.S. permits Israel to participate in renewed campaigns could influence whether the current confrontation remains contained or escalates into a broader regional conflict.