Israeli officials have renewed threats of military force against Iran and Lebanon, despite active ceasefires and ongoing diplomatic efforts. These escalatory signals come as the U.S. and Iran prepare for talks in Islamabad, and direct negotiations between Tel Aviv and Beirut proceed amidst reports of progress on both tracks.
اضافة اعلان
While Washington and Tehran maintain that they are striving for an agreement despite significant hurdles, Israeli rhetoric remains focused on escalation and the potential return to war, under the pretext that its strategic objectives have not yet been met.
High Alert and Energy Targets
The Israeli Radio quoted military and political sources stating that the army is on high alert for a potential collapse of the ceasefire with Iran. According to Ma'ariv, a military official noted that Israel and the U.S. are prepared for a sudden breakdown of the truce, adding that "Iranian energy facilities will be among the primary targets should fighting resume."
Simultaneously, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed that the Israeli army will continue its operations in southern Lebanon. This coincides with the military's announcement of a "Yellow Line" buffer zone in southern Lebanon, mirroring the tactical divisions established in the Gaza Strip.
"Shuffling the Cards"
Analysts suggest that Israel views stability as contrary to its interests. Mohammad Halsa, an expert on Israeli affairs, argues that Israel opposes any U.S.-Iran rapprochement and is using the Lebanese front to "shuffle the cards," despite President Donald Trump's request to avoid disrupting the current diplomatic phase.
Halsa noted that Israel believes the war failed to achieve its ultimate goal of toppling the Iranian government. By escalating in Lebanon, Israel aims to push Tehran toward a more hardline stance, thereby sabotaging the Washington-Tehran negotiations. He expects Netanyahu to lobby President Trump to resume military action, claiming that the current U.S. naval blockade is insufficient.
Echoing this sentiment, academic Mahmoud Yazbak pointed out that the ceasefire has sparked internal debate in Israel regarding the war's effectiveness. He noted that political and military leaders have "ready-made plans" on the table to be executed when the opportunity arises to achieve regime change in Tehran.
A Fragile Phase
Tehran, for its part, remains wary. Abbas Aslani, a researcher at the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies, described the current U.S.-Iran truce as "fragile." He told Al Jazeera that the U.S. naval blockade exacerbates the situation, potentially leading to a new phase of maritime confrontations.
Aslani warned that a return to war would not resemble the conflict that erupted on February 28; instead, it would likely "open multiple fronts across the region," significantly raising the stakes.
This tension is underscored by Iran’s decision yesterday to re-close the Strait of Hormuz amid hardening diplomatic positions. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf confirmed that fundamental differences remain, particularly regarding the Strait, the nuclear program, and related core issues.
