Israeli Opposition Leader Urges PM Netanyahu to Avoid Constitutional Conflict

Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the National Unity Party, has called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from "dangerous moves that can wait for the swearing-in of a new government that has the Knesset's confidence." In a letter sent Wednesday, Eisenkot urged Netanyahu not to place security chiefs in a difficult constitutional conflict and in doubt about their obligations. He warned that activating security forces without an immediate, unavoidable threat could have devastating consequences for Israeli democracy and public trust in government institutions. Eisenkot also appealed to Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, demanding she intervene to compel Netanyahu to provide him with security updates. Netanyahu responded to Eisenkot's remarks, calling his letter an "irresponsible move to publicly discuss sensitive security issues" and an attempt to politicize national security. Eisenkot stated in his letter to the Attorney General that as there is no opposition leader at this time, he should receive regular, comprehensive security updates and access to intelligence assessments, noting that his team's attempts to coordinate such updates with the outgoing prime minister's staff had failed.

Meanwhile, the secretary of Iran's National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, threatened that Iran would attack U.S. bases in Europe if aircraft attacking Iran were to take off from them. In an interview with Al Mayadeen, Rezaei stated that Iran's response to a U.S. attack would not be limited to U.S. bases in the Middle East. The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. had evacuated refueling aircraft from a base in Britain due to fears of Iranian attacks on U.S. bases in Europe. Rezaei also mentioned that Iran is developing nuclear-powered ships and submarines, thus requiring enriched uranium. Speaker of Iran's Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told Al Jazeera that Iran does not distinguish between the U.S. and Israel regarding negotiations or the possibility of renewed war, viewing them as a single front. He added that the Strait of Hormuz will not return to its pre-war status as part of Iran's seven-stage plan.

U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the conflict with Iran, stating that the U.S. had won and it was only a matter of time before it ended. He expressed a high probability that military action against Iran would not be necessary if negotiations progressed, but would be taken if needed. The Wall Street Journal reported that two refueling aircraft were moved to Germany and other destinations. The Pentagon had previously ordered the return of B-1 bombers from a Royal Air Force base in England to the U.S. amid concerns about potential Iranian attacks on U.S. personnel and aircraft using drones and other means. Last week, the U.S. military attacked Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, which Trump described as targeting an air defense system. The British Telegraph reported that Russia might supply Iran with advanced S-400 air defense systems, with Rezaei reportedly visiting Moscow to discuss the matter.