Israel Expects Possible Iranian “Mistake” Amid Rising Tensions

As US President Donald Trump continues to issue strong warnings to Iran, Israel’s security establishment is closely watching for what it describes as a possible “major mistake” by Tehran.

According to Israel, such a mistake could include firing missiles toward Israel or increasing violence against protesters inside Iran. Israeli security officials believe that any serious Iranian action would lead to a harsh military response, with approval from the United States, Israeli newspaper Maariv reported.

Officials in Tel Aviv believe the key question is no longer if Iran will make such a move, but when.

Security Meeting After US Visit

Two days ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a special security meeting, his first since returning from talks in the United States with President Trump.

During his visit, Netanyahu reportedly sought US approval to act against Hezbollah in Lebanon. A second goal was to gain US backing for possible future action against Iran’s efforts to rebuild its ballistic missile capabilities.

Missile Threat Still Below “Red Line”

Israeli assessments say Iran has not yet crossed the “red line” in terms of the number of missile launchers and missiles it possesses. Iran has also not returned to the level it had before the June war.

However, Israel no longer wants to wait until Iran reaches that point. Officials believe the threat should be addressed while it is still limited.

Concerns Over Missile Components

Israeli intelligence reports suggest Iran is trying to obtain dangerous missile components. An Israeli official told Walla that Iran is importing materials used for centrifuges and ballistic missiles.

The official added that Trump’s warnings show the US president is aware of Iran’s actions behind the scenes.

Trump has recently drawn clear red lines for Iran, especially warning against violent crackdowns on protesters. This has encouraged Netanyahu to issue a warning of his own.

Speaking in the Knesset, Netanyahu said: “If we are attacked, the consequences for Iran will be extremely severe.”