Israel appears poised for strike on Iran
Senior officials in the United States and Europe believe Israel is preparing to launch an imminent attack on Iran – a move that could dramatically escalate regional tensions and derail ongoing diplomatic efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
The growing threat of military action prompted the US government on Wednesday to begin withdrawing non-essential diplomatic staff from Iraq and authorize the voluntary departure of military family members from parts of the Middle East, reports New York Times.
Britain also issued a maritime security alert, warning commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf and surrounding waters to exercise heightened caution due to rising hostilities.
The developments follow weeks of intense behind-the-scenes manoeuvring between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump. Netanyahu has reportedly been urging Trump to act on what he sees as a rare window of opportunity to strike Iranian nuclear facilities before Tehran crosses a critical threshold.
Trump previously rejected an Israeli proposal for a military strike months ago, opting instead for negotiations aimed at cutting off Iran’s ability to produce weapons-grade nuclear fuel.
However, optimism for a diplomatic breakthrough has waned after Iran’s Supreme Leader rejected a recent US offer that would have effectively ended Iran’s domestic uranium enrichment program.
Trump acknowledged in a recent podcast interview that his confidence in reaching a deal had diminished. He told reporters earlier this week that Iran had taken an “unacceptable” stance in ongoing talks, though his envoy, Steve Witkoff, was still expected to attend scheduled negotiations in Oman.
Israeli leaders have long considered a pre-emptive strike against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure as a last resort. While Netanyahu has come close to launching such an operation in the past, he has ultimately pulled back under US pressure.
This time, however, many Israeli officials see a strategic opening: Hezbollah and Hamas — both backed by Iran — have been significantly weakened by recent Israeli military operations. Additionally, Israeli airstrikes last year damaged several of Iran’s air defence systems, potentially making a future strike more viable.
Iran, meanwhile, has reportedly drawn up plans for a massive retaliatory response involving hundreds of ballistic missiles, should it be attacked. Iranian Defence Minister Gen Aziz Nasirzadeh warned that any conflict would result in significant US losses, stating that American bases across the region are within Iran’s reach and would be targeted if necessary.
The US military remains on high alert. Central Command head Gen Michael E Kurilla recently briefed Congress on a range of potential military options, though his follow-up testimony before the Senate was postponed without explanation.
A U.S. aircraft carrier, the Carl Vinson, continues to operate in the Arabian Sea with more than 60 aircraft aboard, including advanced F-35 stealth fighters.
A senior Navy official said there were no immediate plans to reposition the carrier, but emphasized readiness to respond to any escalation.
Oil prices rose above $68 a barrel on Wednesday amid fears that renewed conflict could disrupt global energy supplies.
The US maintains a significant military presence in the region, including fighter jets and missile defence systems used last year to help intercept Iranian attacks on Israel.
As tensions mount, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is meeting in Vienna this week. The US, UK, France, and Germany have proposed a resolution condemning Iran for rapidly advancing its nuclear program in violation of the 2015 nuclear deal.
If passed, the resolution could pave the way for the re-imposition or “snapback” of UN sanctions lifted under the agreement. Trump withdrew the US from the deal in 2018, prompting Iran to abandon its own commitments.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on social media that any censure would trigger a “strong reaction,” while Iran’s UN mission denounced US military rhetoric as destabilizing.
Analysts say Iran is now closer than ever to producing enough enriched uranium for multiple nuclear weapons — though building a deliverable weapon could take additional months. For Israeli leaders, the time to act may never be better — or risk losing the chance altogether.
