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ISRAEL PERSPECTIVE
THIRD WAVE OF US STRIKES ON IRAN AS GULF STATES ARE HIT
DOMINANT ANGLE
Israel is assessing the risks of an escalating conflict, coordinating military scenarios with Washington in anticipation of a potential Iranian backlash targeting several Gulf capitals.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
ANALYSIS
Jerusalem, July 13, 2026. Israel is cautiously assessing the impact of the third wave of US strikes against Iran. CENTCOM claims to have targeted approximately 140 Iranian military sites on Saturday, bringing the total number of struck sites to over 300 in three nights of operations. According to the US military, the offensive targeted missile and drone sites, naval capabilities, ammunition depots, communication networks, and coastal surveillance posts in response to Iranian attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) retaliated by targeting the US Al Udeid airbase in Qatar, damaging, according to Tehran, its fighter jet maintenance center and command post, as well as a second ship in the Strait of Hormuz and the Omani port of Duqm, where American aircraft carrier refueling platforms were reportedly destroyed. The IRGC also claims to have struck the Jordanian Prince Hassan airbase. The United Arab Emirates and Qatar say they intercepted Iranian fire; Kuwait announces intercepting aerial targets, and sirens sounded in Bahrain.
For the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the priority remains coordination with Washington. A senior security official cited by the Jerusalem Post confirms that the Israeli military has examined several scenarios with the US military, including an escalation of the campaign that Israel could join. The Israeli security establishment describes the Iranian government as divided between a "pragmatic" camp, around President Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Araghchi, seen as desiring an agreement, and a "hardline" camp led by Supreme Leader Khamenei and IRGC Commander Vahidi, portrayed as "patient chess players" seeking to gain time before the US midterm elections. The IDF says it is on high alert, taking no risks, and ready for any defensive response.
In Tehran, Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf warned that "the era of one-sided agreements is over," while Washington has also announced new sanctions targeting regime financiers, including Ali Ansari, accused of embezzling public funds for the benefit of the Iranian elite.
KEY POINTS
- Israel's government is closely monitoring the situation as the CENTCOM launched a third wave of strikes targeting approximately 140 Iranian military targets, bringing the total number of sites hit to over 300 in three nights.
- The Israeli capital is on high alert as the Revolutionary Guards claim to have struck the US base in Al Udeid, Qatar, a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, the Omani port of Duqm, and the Jordanian Prince Hassan base.
- A senior Israeli security official, cited in the Jerusalem Post, confirms that the Israeli Defense Forces, Tsahal, has discussed scenarios, including possible Israeli participation in strikes, with the US military.
COGNITIVE BIASES IDENTIFIED
Israel's security-focused framework prioritizes Israeli-American military coordination over regional humanitarian consequences.
Preference is given to government and military sources (CENTCOM, IRGC, Israeli officials) over civilian voices from the Gulf.
There is limited coverage of the reactions of Gulf and Iranian civilian populations to the escalation.
SOURCES (3)
HaaretzLeft
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MEDIUM
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