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As Trump pauses Iran strikes, Israel believes escalation is inevitable
🇵🇸 Palestine /Conflict & Security

As Trump pauses Iran strikes, Israel believes escalation is inevitable

From Times of Israel · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • The United States paused overnight strikes on Iran for the first time in two weeks, leading Israel to believe escalation is inevitable.
  • Israeli leaders estimate that US President Donald Trump will soon be compelled to increase military action despite the current pause.
  • The US military has continued to send significant forces, including warplanes and munitions, to Israel, signaling ongoing preparations for potential conflict.

The United States unexpectedly refrained from striking Iran overnight Friday-Saturday, marking the first pause in strikes in two weeks. Despite this lull, Israeli leaders reportedly believe that US President Donald Trump will soon be compelled to escalate military action against Iran.

the chances of reaching an agreement between the United States and Iran are virtually nonexistent.

— A senior Israeli officialTold Channel 12 about the low probability of a diplomatic resolution.

Reports from Hebrew media indicated that Jerusalem had been prepared for a significant escalation over the weekend, which did not materialize. The pause in US strikes was reportedly ordered by Trump himself, who cited ongoing negotiations with Iran. Axios reported that Trump had ordered the US military not to strike Iran on Friday and Saturday, citing two sources familiar with the directive.

While the immediate strikes ceased, the US military has continued to send substantial forces to Israel. This deployment includes dozens of warplanes, refueling planes, air defenses, and munitions. Approximately 90 refueling aircraft have arrived in recent weeks and are stationed at several Israeli airbases, a deployment similar to one preceding a US-Israeli war against Iran in late February.

calling an eventual escalation in the conflict “inevitable.”

— A senior Israeli officialExpressed certainty about future military action.

Senior Israeli officials expressed skepticism about the prospects for a diplomatic agreement, with one telling Channel 12 that "the chances of reaching an agreement between the United States and Iran are virtually nonexistent," deeming an eventual escalation "inevitable." Other sources cited by Israeli media similarly predicted that diplomacy would fail, forcing Trump's hand toward a major attack.

Trump was now favoring allowing more time for negotiations.

— AxiosReporting on the US president's current stance.

Trump had previously threatened to widen the scope of targets to include Iran's energy plants and bridges, and even to send ground forces to seize its oil hub on Kharg Island. However, he stated on Friday that he had not yet made a decision on new major strikes, noting that "we are talking to them" and that "I think they’re being serious."

We are talking to them. I think they’re being serious. I think… they are being by far the most serious that we’ve s

— Donald TrumpSpeaking to reporters about ongoing talks with Iran.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Times of Israel in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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