US Warns Israel to Prepare for Renewed Conflict with Iran

The United States is preparing for the possibility of renewed conflict with Iran in the near future, with U.S. Central Command officials informing Israeli military representatives in the U.S. to be ready for a potential return to hostilities. According to Channel 12 News, not only Israel but also Gulf states have been briefed on the possibility of escalating tensions, despite recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump. The U.S. military is bolstering its presence in the region, with two aircraft carriers already deployed, approximately 200 refueling aircraft stationed, and a third carrier and an amphibious ready group expected to arrive next week. A key reason for the concern over renewed fighting is the difficulty in reaching an agreement between Washington and Tehran. A U.S. official told i24NEWS that "the Iranians exaggerated their demands," and that the parties are divided on how an agreement would be implemented and who would make the first move. Furthermore, Iran continues to introduce new demands during negotiations, with the Prime Minister of Qatar reportedly admitting in closed talks that significant gaps remain. Amid these developments, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Gadi Eisenkot for a security briefing. A source familiar with the meeting told Channel 12 News that Eisenkot would "understand everything after being exposed to the full intelligence picture" and would not be the same afterward. Conversely, a source close to Eisenkot clarified that "we do not see a specific action that necessitates immediate action and cannot wait for government formation." Channel 13 News reported that the IDF's position is that if President Trump decides to attack Iran, Israel should join, but there is no urgency for an independent Israeli strike. It was also exclusively reported that President Isaac Herzog mediated discussions for the meeting between Netanyahu and Eisenkot, though the President's Residence vehemently denied any involvement in the contacts or coordination of the meeting.