Senior Israeli Officer Says Iran Fears Israeli Military Involvement Amid US-Iran Clashes
Following a night of intensified clashes between the United States and Iran, Israel awaits a green light from US President Donald Trump to join the fighting. A senior Israeli Defense Forces officer told Channel 13 News that Iranian forces see Israeli Air Force involvement as the last thing they want. The officer added that Iran is well aware Israel is eager to resume military action against it but is waiting for Trump’s approval.
White House sources told Channel 13 that Trump is preparing to escalate the conflict and may authorize a "very large strike" aimed at forcing Iran back to the negotiating table. This week, Trump has requested options for escalation that avoid triggering a full-scale war. Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reported that the US has informed Israel about returning some refueling aircraft previously relocated to Europe back to Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport and other sites, though Trump has not yet decided on Israeli participation in combat.
Throughout the night, US forces struck dozens of targets, including in Bandar Abbas in southern Iran. Reports from Iran indicated a wave of attacks around midnight, targeting bridges in Hormozgan Province used to transport ammunition and weapons for attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian media reported seven fatalities but did not detail infrastructure damage. Satellite imagery showed damage to facilities at the Shahid Bahonar port in Bandar Abbas and underground infrastructure at the Iranian Air Force base "Eagle 44."
US Central Command (CENTCOM) later confirmed that American forces, including fighter jets, drones, and warships, launched precision munitions against dozens of Iranian military targets such as coastal surveillance sites, air defenses, logistics infrastructure, and naval capabilities. The strikes further degrade Iran’s military capacity and respond to recent Iranian actions against commercial shipping. Over 50,000 US troops remain deployed across the Middle East, maintaining high alert and readiness.
