US Expands Strikes on Iran to Infrastructure Amid Rising Regional Tensions

The United States has informed Israel of plans to broaden its military strikes against Iran to include infrastructure and energy facilities. On Thursday evening, the US Central Command announced the start of a new wave of attacks targeting the Iranian regime. Iranian state television reported missile strikes by the US on the southern port city of Bandar Abbas. Despite the escalation, Israeli officials assess that Iran currently does not intend to retaliate directly against Israel to avoid drawing the Israeli Defense Forces into the conflict. However, Israel remains prepared for possible Iranian attacks, with a senior Israeli source warning that any such move would come at a heavy price.

Iran has publicly threatened to escalate missile fire if US attacks continue, meanwhile targeting Gulf states and US bases across the Middle East. Israeli authorities say two scenarios could pull Israel deeper into the conflict: an Iranian attack on Israel or a US request for Israeli involvement in strikes. For now, the confrontation between the US and Iran remains limited despite intensifying hostilities.

At the White House, officials stated that Iran continues to communicate a desire for a deal, while accusing Tehran of violating understandings by attacking Gulf countries. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that any Iranian attack on Israel would provoke a much stronger Israeli response, emphasizing readiness for all scenarios and a commitment to retaliate decisively.

President Isaac Herzog, in an interview with Al Arabiya, expressed skepticism about negotiating with Iran due to its history of violating agreements. He welcomed the US's firm response to Iran's actions as necessary to push Tehran back toward de-escalation. Herzog also spoke about his aspiration for peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia, praising Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and highlighting the importance of Jewish-Muslim coexistence in the region. He expressed pride in Israel's Abraham Accords with Morocco, Bahrain, and the UAE and noted close, albeit sometimes tactically divergent, cooperation with the US government on confronting Iran's influence.