Jerusalem said preparing to join fight with Iran as US weighs next steps

Israel is preparing for the possibility of joining an expanded US military campaign against Iran, after the security establishment assessed in high-level government discussions that the likelihood of a significant escalation in the near future has greatly risen, a senior Israeli official tells Channel 12.

“We are in continuous dialogue with the Americans, but one thing is a fact: [US President Donald] Trump is unpredictable. At the moment, it appears that [the US seeks] to step up the intensity of American strikes in Iran,” an Israeli official tells the Hebrew network.

However, the official notes that senior Trump envoys, primarily Steve Witkoff, as well as mediator Qatar, continue to try to bring the sides back to negotiations.

In light of that, Israel is “preparing for every possibility and building immediate and strategic operational options,” the official adds, saying, “If the Americans decide to escalate or involve Israel, or if the Iranians carry out an unexpected and unwise move against us, we will be ready.”