Israel, US readying for renewed strikes on Iran for as early as next week — report

Israel and the United States are undergoing the most intense preparations since last month’s ceasefire for renewed attacks on Iran, seeking to be ready as early as next week, The New York Times reports, citing two Middle East officials.

According to US officials, one of the options for an operation would include putting commandos on the ground to extract nuclear material buried under rubble.

Such a complicated operation would risk several casualties, as it would require thousands of supporting forces to create a perimeter around an operations area, and likely engage with Iranian ground troops, military officials tell the Times.

Troops could also be used to conquer Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil export hub in the Persian Gulf, officials add.

Another option would include more intense bombing of Iranian military and infrastructure sites, US officials say.

Israel launched its campaign against Iran, alongside the US, to degrade the Iranian regime’s military capabilities, distance threats posed by Iran — including its nuclear and ballistic missile programs — and “create the conditions” for the Iranian people to topple the regime, the military and other Israeli leaders have said.

The ceasefire reached last month has left those declared goals unfulfilled.