Trump leaning towards escalation with Iran, source tells 'Post'

U.S. President Donald Trump appears to be moving toward further escalation with Iran, according to Israeli and American officials speaking on condition of anonymity. The prevailing sentiment among these officials is that the chances for a diplomatic resolution are now virtually nonexistent, barring unforeseen developments.

"It appears President Trump is preparing to expand the campaign against Iran," one official told The Jerusalem Post. "The remaining questions are 'how much' and 'when.'" This suggests a potential increase in military pressure, with the focus shifting from diplomatic avenues to more assertive actions.

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It appears President Trump is preparing to expand the campaign against Iran. The remaining questions are 'how much' and 'when.' He understands that, barring an unexpected development, the chances of a diplomatic solution is now virtually nonexistent.

However, a note of caution was introduced by another official, who pointed out that Trump has a history of changing his stance at the last minute. This implies that while the current trajectory suggests escalation, the situation remains fluid and subject to last-minute shifts in policy.

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Trump has changed course 'at the last minute' before, noting that his position could still shift.

Israel's current assessment indicates that Iran will likely refrain from attacking Israel as long as the United States does not significantly intensify its military campaign against Tehran. This suggests a delicate balance, where U.S. actions directly influence Iran's response towards Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also hinted at a potential security situation that could disrupt upcoming political events. Speaking at a Likud Constitution Committee meeting, Netanyahu mentioned the possibility of an "exceptional security situation" that might make holding campaign events difficult, potentially coinciding with or preceding election day. This statement, while not directly mentioning Iran, aligns with the broader context of heightened regional tensions and potential conflict.

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I support holding the primaries, but there is a possibility that we could face an exceptional security situation that would make it difficult to hold campaign events. It could coincide with election day or occur beforehand, making it difficult to conduct the vote.