A senior Israeli political official has accused Iran of accelerating efforts to develop a nuclear weapon, claiming that the alleged developments are the primary reason behind Israel’s heightened military alert and the expanding American military presence in the Middle East.
The allegations were reported by Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom in an article by journalist Danny Zaken, which described a state of maximum military readiness in Israel alongside the deployment of additional US forces to the region.
According to the unnamed official, Tehran has recently intensified efforts to overcome restrictions and advance beyond the weaponisation stage that had previously delayed its nuclear programme.
The official maintained that both Israel and the United States were fully aware of Iran’s alleged activities and would not permit such progress.
The claims were presented as Israeli intelligence and political assessments, rather than independently established evidence that Iran has decided to manufacture a nuclear weapon.
Israeli Official Says Military Strikes Remain an Option
The senior Israeli official confirmed that military strikes against Iranian facilities remain under consideration, insisting that any decision would be determined by operational requirements rather than political or electoral considerations.
According to the official, an attack would be carried out “according to operational necessity, regardless of the election campaigns” in Israel and the United States.
The remarks suggest that Israeli officials are seeking to separate potential military decisions concerning Iran from the electoral calendars in both countries.
US Reinforces CENTCOM With Aircraft Carrier Strike Group
Israel Hayom reported that Washington is strengthening the forces of US Central Command (CENTCOM) through the deployment of a naval strike group centred on an aircraft carrier, supported by aerial refuelling aircraft.
The deployments reportedly followed discussions between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US defence chief Pete Hegseth concerning Iran and efforts to confront attacks by Yemen’s Houthis.
The American military reinforcements come as Israel maintains an elevated state of readiness, with officials continuing to assess the possibility of further confrontation with Tehran.
Netanyahu Calls Overthrow of Iranian Government an Achievable Strategic Objective
In remarks cited by Israel Hayom from an interview with the Today programme, Netanyahu described the overthrow of Iran’s government as a strategic objective that could be achieved.
“Overthrowing the Iranian regime is an achievable strategic objective,” Netanyahu said.
The Israeli prime minister also accused Tehran of attempting to interfere in both Israeli and American elections through developments in global energy markets.
He alleged that Iran was seeking to drive up international oil prices by escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, with the objective of improving the electoral prospects of the Democratic Party in the United States.
These allegations reflect Netanyahu’s political assessment and were not accompanied in the supplied account by independent evidence establishing such an Iranian electoral strategy.
Trump Leaves Open the Possibility of Hostile Action Against Iran
The Israeli newspaper also cited remarks by Donald Trump that it characterised as an implicit warning to Tehran.
“Our relationship with Iran is very good, and we just have to decide whether we want to deal with them in a friendly way or an unfriendly way,” Trump said.
The statement presented Washington’s approach to Iran as a choice between continued engagement and a more confrontational course, without specifying what measures an unfriendly approach might involve.
Israeli Security Assessment Warns of Possible Attacks Abroad
Israel Hayom concluded its account by outlining Israeli security assessments concerning Iran’s possible response to further escalation.
According to those assessments, a direct Iranian military attack is considered less likely because of Tehran’s concerns that such action could expose its oil infrastructure to retaliatory strikes.
Instead, Israeli security officials reportedly believe Iran could seek to destabilise the situation through attacks against Jewish and Israeli targets abroad.
The newspaper presented this as a security assessment rather than a confirmed Iranian operational plan.
Israel Warns Hezbollah Against Escalation in Lebanon
The report also addressed the possibility of an expanded confrontation involving Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Israeli political sources said strong warnings had been conveyed to Hezbollah, making clear that any escalation by the group would be met with a forceful Israeli response.
According to the sources, Israel warned that such a response would include “a strong retaliation in the southern suburbs of Beirut and inside Lebanon.”
The warnings indicate that Israeli military preparations and security assessments extend beyond Iran itself to the possibility of confrontation involving Hezbollah and other regional fronts.
