Israel said bracing for Iran fighting to resume soon, as Trump briefed on military options

Amid preparations for renewed fighting, CENTCOM reportedly requests hypersonic missile be sent to Mideast for potential use; Iranian president decries ‘intolerable’ US naval blockade

Israel was on heightened alert, ramping up preparations for a possible return to fighting with Iran, amid indications that US President Donald Trump may be nearing a decision on renewed military action, Israeli television reported Thursday.

The report came as Trump was briefed at the White House on military options by US Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper. At the same time, Israeli officials held a series of intensive consultations amid what they see as growing momentum toward a decision in Washington.

According to Channel 12, Israeli officials were bracing for the possibility that negotiations between the US and Iran could collapse as early as the start of next week. The report cited cabinet ministers briefed in recent days as assessing that the US may need to “give a push” to its pressure campaign in the Strait of Hormuz through military strikes on Iranian gas and energy facilities, as well as government infrastructure.

As part of the buildup, Israel and the US were also reportedly working to project a credible naval threat against Iran.

Ahead of Trump’s briefing with Cooper, a US official told Reuters that the US president would be updated about plans for a series of fresh military strikes to compel Iran to negotiate an end to the conflict.

The Axios news site said another plan, intended to be shared with Trump during the briefing, involved deploying ground forces to take control of part of the strait to reopen it to commercial shipping. Trump is also considering extending the US blockade or declaring a unilateral victory, officials have said.

Amid the preparations for a potential resumption of hostilities, Bloomberg reported Thursday that CENTCOM has requested the long-delayed Dark Eagle hypersonic missile be sent to the Middle East for potential use against Iran, marking the first time Washington would deploy the technology.

The request by Central Command was made after Iran shifted its missile launchers out of range of the US Army’s Precision Strike Missile, the current technology it has deployed, a person with direct knowledge of the request told Bloomberg, adding the request to the military was still pending.

CENTCOM declined to comment on the report.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Israel Katz warned earlier Thursday that while Israel supports the United States’ diplomatic efforts with Iran, it may “soon be required to act again” to remove the “existential threats” posed by the Islamic Republic.

“Iran has suffered extremely severe blows over the past year, blows that have set it back years in all areas,” said Katz during a ceremony promoting the next Israeli Air Force chief, Omer Tischler, to the rank of major general.

“US President Trump, in coordination with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is leading the effort to complete the campaign’s objectives in a way that ensures Iran will not return to being a threat to the existence of Israel, to the United States, and to the free world for generations to come,” he said.

“We support this effort and provide the necessary backing, but we may soon be required to act again to ensure the objectives are achieved,” Katz added.

But the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ aerospace force, Majid Mousavi, threatened on Thursday that even a “short and tactical” enemy operation would be met “with painful, prolonged, and extensive strikes,” while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the blockade of his country’s ports was effectively an “extension of military operations” by Washington.

“Continuation of this oppressive approach is intolerable,” he added.

Despite Pezeshkian’s remarks, Trump reportedly told oil executives and national security officials this week to prepare for a prolonged US blockade designed to force Tehran to surrender its nuclear program.

Oil prices struck a four-year high on Thursday. International benchmark Brent crude soared more than seven percent to $126 a barrel before easing in afternoon trading in London.

Trump faces domestic political pressure to end the military operation, which is unpopular even among parts of his base and has driven up costs at the pump for American consumers.

Iran’s economy is also suffering, with the rial falling to historic lows against the dollar.

Iran has proposed easing its chokehold over the Strait of Hormuz if Washington lifts its blockade and broader negotiations take place. But the Trump administration has insisted that Iran’s nuclear program be on the table.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Thursday evening that it was not reasonable to expect quick results from US talks.

“Expecting to reach a result in a short time, regardless of who the mediator is, in my opinion, is not very realistic,” he was quoted as saying by the official IRNA news agency.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.