Israel Warns Iran: Attack Will Remove Restraints

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning to Iran on Thursday, stating that any attack from Tehran would "free us from all restraints." Katz added that in the event of further direct confrontation with Iran, Israel would "also strike energy infrastructure."

This statement comes amid heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf. Earlier, The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. President Donald Trump was discussing the possibility of declaring an end to the "war" with Iran with his advisors. According to sources familiar with the matter, Trump's political aides are pushing for this declaration to improve his and the Republican Party's standing before the November midterm elections. Trump reportedly supports the idea, believing that economic pressure will eventually lead to the capitulation of the Iranian regime and the collapse of its nuclear program.

Another factor considered by the Trump administration is the strain on U.S. military personnel and their families, which impacts public opinion and is linked to the deployment of approximately 50,000 troops in the Middle East. Trump had previously tweeted on his TRUTH social media platform that he was not trying to force Iran back to the negotiating table and was content with the current situation, which includes near-total control of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's collapsing economy.

Despite Trump's rhetoric, U.S. officials told The Wall Street Journal that there are no plans to escalate the military campaign against Iran. However, the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee anticipates an increase in fighting following a briefing from the commander of CENTCOM. Iran has continued to attack vessels, including two Saudi oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, which the U.S. is using to facilitate covert passage into the Persian Gulf. Over 50,000 U.S. soldiers remain in the Middle East to enforce sanctions on Iran.

Iranian state news agency IRNA reported that U.S. strikes between Tuesday and Wednesday killed at least 11 Iranian civilians. Iran responded by firing missiles toward Jordan, Bahrain, and other U.S. targets in the Middle East. The Jordanian army reported that Iran launched 13 ballistic missiles into its territory, with air defense systems intercepting 10 and the remaining three exploding in remote areas without causing casualties. U.S. bases in northern Iraq, Bahrain, and Kuwait were also attacked. A U.S. official described Iran's response as "ineffective," with no American casualties and no significant damage.