ISRAEL PERSPECTIVE

Jerusalem, July 12, 2026. As Israel carefully assesses its options between showing support and avoiding direct involvement, the government in Jerusalem is evaluating its margin of maneuver.

According to information obtained, Israeli military officials estimate that the current escalation between the US and Iran should "not spill over" into Israel "for now," while also stating that the military "is ready for any eventuality." These same sources believe that Iran does not plan to draw Israel into the conflict immediately - a calculation that could change if the US were to directly request Israel's support.

This readiness is confirmed by a source in Jerusalem: "We are ready to start again, if necessary. We have proven that we support the US." However, the same source downplays the interest of such engagement for the US, while also mentioning the need for Israel to "show its strength."

Meanwhile, Tehran is not holding back on its threats. Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, warned that Iran would retaliate and that Israel "will not be spared" in the event of a response to any attack on Iranian infrastructure, after Donald Trump mentioned possible strikes on the country's power plants and desalination factories.

On the ground, CENTCOM claims to have hit around 90 military targets in Iran, including a railway bridge connecting Tehran to Mashhad, while Iranian retaliation has triggered sirens in Jordan - 150 km from the Israeli border - as well as in Bahrain and Kuwait. The US President has also declared the ceasefire "over" after a new round of cross-strikes in the Strait of Hormuz.

Diplomatically, Qatar and Oman are attempting to mediate: Doha is negotiating conditions for the resumption of talks, while Muscat proposes dividing the strait into two separate lanes to secure maritime traffic. The US has also tightened sanctions on individuals close to the Iranian government, including a presumed financier of Mojtaba Khamenei, the son and successor of the supreme leader who was buried in Mashhad this week.

For Israel, the equation remains the same as it has been since the beginning of this new phase: to remain in strategic reserve, ready to intervene at the US's request, without provoking engagement that would open a direct front with Tehran.