Israel Prepares for Trump Decision on Iran as Tehran Expects US to Back Down on Strait of Hormuz

Senior American officials indicate that President Donald Trump is poised to decide within days between two options regarding Iran: accepting a mediated 10-day ceasefire proposal to address the Strait of Hormuz issue, which Iran appears willing to accept, or escalating to a broader conflict aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear program and control over the strait. Israel is bracing for a significant increase in escalation potential but stresses that its interest in the conflict depends on its nature.

The Israeli security cabinet held a six-hour meeting to discuss possible escalation scenarios. During the session, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stepped out to speak at length with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the shared interests of Israel and the United States. Israeli officials conveyed that their involvement hinges on the conflict's scope, emphasizing they do not want to enter a new war only to be halted shortly after.

Iranian leadership reportedly believes Trump will ultimately back down, allowing them to dominate the Strait of Hormuz, intensifying the dilemma facing the US president. Meanwhile, new ceasefire proposals from Qatar and Oman aim to temporarily reopen shipping lanes, but Western sources say Trump views these as mere stopgap measures. Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is also said to be seeking alternative proposals, though these likely favor Iran.

Trump signaled reluctance to negotiate with Iran at this stage, stating the US is not interested despite Iranian eagerness. He indicated a readiness for escalation, declaring the work in Iran is unfinished and naming the next target as the "Mountain of Madness" (Har HaMokh). This underground facility, believed to be over 100 meters deep, is suspected by Israel and the US to be a new nuclear site where Iran may be storing thousands of centrifuges, though not yet operational.

A key concern is whether US bombs can penetrate this fortified site, as previous strikes on Iran’s Fordow enrichment plant were effective but may not suffice here. Intelligence confirms the transfer of centrifuges to this location, but neither Israel nor the US has yet acted against it. Israel aims to be fully prepared for Trump's imminent decision, which will shape the regional security landscape.

Summary: Israel is preparing for an imminent decision by US President Donald Trump on whether to accept a ceasefire proposal with Iran or escalate military action, while Iran expects Trump to back down and allow control over the Strait of Hormuz. The situation centers on a fortified underground Iranian nuclear site, with Israel and the US assessing the risks and potential for increased conflict.

Points: - Trump will soon decide between a ceasefire or military escalation against Iran. - Israel expects significant escalation but wants clarity on the conflict's nature. - Netanyahu discussed Israeli-US interests with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. - Iran believes Trump will back down and let them control the Strait of Hormuz. - New ceasefire proposals from Qatar and Oman are seen as temporary fixes. - The "Mountain of Madness" underground site is a key concern for nuclear activity.

Topic: security israel_relevant: true Entities: {"people":["Donald Trump","Benjamin Netanyahu","Marco Rubio","Mojtaba Khamenei"],"organizations":["United States","Israel","Iran"],"places":["Strait of Hormuz","Mountain of Madness","Fordow"]}