Israel Maintains Alert After Trump Cancels Iran Strike Amid Regional Tensions

Following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement to cancel a planned strike on Iran, Israel continues to maintain a lower level of military readiness as of Sunday evening. Israeli defense officials had anticipated a high risk of escalation and prepared primarily for missile defense. Security assessments suggest that the cycle of threats between Washington and Tehran is likely to persist in the coming weeks. A senior Israeli officer warned that the focus must remain on Iran's nuclear program rather than the Strait of Hormuz.

Israeli military sources fear that Iran has recognized Trump's reluctance to resume hostilities and believes that Arab states exert more influence on the U.S. president than Israel does. Behind the scenes, regional dynamics influenced Trump's decision: while the United Arab Emirates pushed for a stronger military response, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged Trump to pursue dialogue to reduce tensions. Meanwhile, Qatar reportedly presented Iran with a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran responded to positively.

An Iranian diplomat told the Wall Street Journal that if talks fail, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps might consider a preemptive strike. Gulf officials expressed frustration with the lack of a clear U.S. strategy and requested additional air defense systems from Washington. Iranian officials are aware of Trump's political vulnerabilities and may exploit them, with the Revolutionary Guards prepared to launch preventive attacks even without a U.S. strike.

Despite Trump's cancellation, Iranian state media rejected reports of a breakthrough, insisting that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed to shipping as long as U.S. hostility continues. Trump cited progress in negotiations and requests from Iran and other Middle Eastern countries as reasons for halting the attack. Saudi Arabia confirmed that Trump had consulted with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman before the decision.

Iran's acting defense minister Majid Ibn al-Reza stated that Tehran views all threats from adversaries as credible, even if presented as psychological warfare, and will use them to enhance military readiness and deterrence. Iranian negotiator Mohammad Marandi mocked Trump on social media, calling the cancellation "fake news" and accusing Trump of backing down. On his platform Truth Social, Trump declared that the U.S. was prepared to launch unprecedented military force against Iran but agreed to cancel the strike based on requests from Iran and regional states, contingent on reaching a swift agreement that includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending Iran's nuclear threat.