US-Iran Crisis Reaches Point of No Return as Trump Vows Heavy Retaliation

Israeli security officials assess that the escalating crisis between the United States and Iran has reached a point of no return, with Washington preparing for a significant military response against Tehran. A senior security source told Walla on Thursday that President Donald Trump is driven by a strong desire to exact a heavy price on the Iranian regime following the killing of American soldiers, emphasizing Trump’s sensitivity to harm against US troops. This dynamic leaves little room for diplomatic maneuvering with Iran, heightening the risk of a multi-front military conflict in the Middle East.

The source noted that while Iran is unlikely to attack Israel immediately due to anticipated severe military retaliation, the overall tension threatens to alter the strategic balance in the region even before any direct strikes on Israeli territory. Within Iran’s leadership, a power struggle continues over the approach to escalation: Revolutionary Guards leaders, including Mojtaba Khamenei, advocate for expanding attacks on Gulf states if the US targets Iranian infrastructure, while more pragmatic figures like President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi seek to avoid conflict through potential compromises over the Strait of Hormuz.

Israeli defense officials confirm that preparations for a possible large-scale US strike on Iran have peaked, with the Israel Defense Forces and security agencies on high alert. Behind the scenes, messages are exchanged between Washington and Tehran, but if the US president receives confirmation that military readiness is complete and Iran refuses to compromise on safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and nuclear issues, a broad and intense attack on Iranian national infrastructure could be ordered.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Kachaz said in a security consultation that Israel is preparing for all scenarios and warned that if Iran attacks Israel, it will face a crushing response. The current situation underscores the fragile and volatile state of US-Iran relations and the broader regional security environment.