A U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber escorted by two F-22 Raptor fighter jets N. Prabhakaran Dubai: Despite tensions with Iran reachin...
A U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber escorted by two F-22 Raptor fighter jets
N. Prabhakaran
Dubai: Despite tensions with Iran reaching a critical stage, Israeli officials evaluated on Sunday that the United States is unlikely to launch an attack this week. Meanwhile, Washington continues to deliberate on its next steps.
Israeli officials are closely monitoring U.S. movements. While describing the relationship with the U.S. as strategic and robust, they pointed out certain ambiguities affecting Israel's planning, primarily regarding differences in information sharing and target assessment. It is estimated that discussions in Washington over the next few weeks could lead to either a major military operation or a long-term diplomatic agreement with significant consequences.
Israeli Air Force fighter jets ready on the runway
Military Challenges
Israel does not expect immediate military action from the U.S. Officials calculate that it may take weeks rather than days. However, if the U.S. decides to move militarily, Israel is likely to receive very short notice.
Defense officials argue that such short notice poses a major challenge. The Air Force and air defense systems require time to prepare for a regional conflict. Lacking precise information from the U.S., Israel has had to rely on its own intelligence gathering.
Beyond military action, Israel is concerned about the trajectory of U.S.-Iran diplomatic talks. Israel opposes a partial deal that focuses solely on Iran's nuclear program while ignoring its ballistic missile program. Israel argues that these missiles enhance Iran's defense capabilities and pose a massive threat—a point repeatedly raised in discussions between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump: Talks Progressing with Iran
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Iran is holding "serious talks" with Washington. Reports suggest Iran is trying to avoid military action.
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump clarified he wants a deal where Iran abandons nuclear weapons. "They are talking to us—serious talks," he added. Despite the talks, a massive naval fleet led by the USS Abraham Lincoln is stationed near the Iranian coast.
Ali Larijani, head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, confirmed that diplomatic arrangements are underway. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met Larijani in Tehran for discussions. Iran's Army Chief, Amir Hatami, warned that any mistake by enemies would affect the security of the "Zionist regime" (Israel) and the region.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi
Agreement Possible: Iranian Foreign Minister
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told CNN that he believes an agreement can be reached regarding Iran's nuclear program. While he expressed "confidence" in reaching a deal, he noted that Iran has lost trust in the U.S. as a partner.
Araghchi insisted that talks must focus solely on the nuclear program and not on ballistic missiles or support for regional groups. When asked about missiles, he replied, "Let's not talk about impossible things." He urged that the opportunity for a fair deal to ensure no nuclear weapons are built should not be missed, claiming it could be achieved in a short time.
While Iran claims it does not seek nuclear weapons, it continues to enrich uranium at high levels and block international inspectors.
Iran's Stance
Iran remains firm on its refusal to compromise on its missile program. While ready to discuss sanctions relief, they view missiles as integral to their sovereignty. This leaves the U.S. in a dilemma: whether to pursue a comprehensive deal that risks failure or settle for a smaller agreement that sets the missile issue aside.
Israel is also assessing the ideological rigidity of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Reports suggest Iran may seek to project more strength as the symbolic "Fajr" period in Iran's internal calendar approaches. Israel warns that if a diplomatic deal doesn't address the missile threat, Iran will use economic concessions to further bolster its missile capacity. Consequently, Israel has increased the sharing of intelligence with Washington to influence American decisions.
Iranian Parliament members in IRGC uniforms chanting "Death to America, Death to Israel" on February 1, 2026
IDF Chief of Staff Secretly Visits Washington
Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), held secret meetings with U.S. defense officials in Washington last weekend. He arrived with highly classified information to discuss military moves against Iran and influence the diplomatic talks between the Trump administration and Tehran.
Zamir shared intelligence regarding Iran's rebuilding of military capabilities, specifically expressing concern over the increase in conventional ballistic missile production. While Israel had halved Iran's stockpile (which stood at approximately 2,500 missiles in June 2025), Iran is now returning to its previous strength.
Israel fears the Trump administration might reach a deal to freeze uranium enrichment. Zamir emphasized that such a deal would be dangerous without fully addressing the ballistic missile threat.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir meeting with CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper on January 24, 2026
Uranium Enrichment and the Threat
Zamir reminded the U.S. that allowing Iran to retain its current stockpile of approximately 400kg of enriched uranium (including 20% enriched uranium) without returning or destroying it is a grave danger.
It is estimated that Iran’s current uranium could produce approximately 9–10 nuclear weapons. This uranium could help Iran rapidly build a nuclear weapon via new secret facilities.
Following his U.S. visit, Eyal Zamir met with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz to evaluate the regional situation and discuss IDF readiness for any scenario.
An Iranian citizen waiting for a bus after crossing the Razi-Kapikoy border into Turkey, seeking refuge from the religious regime
Khamenei: U.S. Attack Would Mean Regional War
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned on Sunday that if the U.S. attacks Iran, it will turn into a massive regional war. "Americans should know, if they start a war, this time it will be a regional war," Khamenei said, as reported by the Tasnim news agency.
This reaction comes as the U.S. increases its naval presence in the Middle East and President Trump issues continuous threats. Khamenei stated that the Iranian people would not be intimidated, adding that Iran would not attack first but would retaliate strongly against any aggressor.
Khamenei described recent anti-government protests in Iran as a "coup attempt" and condemned attacks on police stations and mosques. In response to the European Union declaring the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organization, Iran declared European armies as terrorist groups. On the 47th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution, Iranian MPs wore IRGC uniforms to parliament, chanting "Death to America" and "Death to Israel."
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar welcomed the EU's decision, calling the IRGC a primary source of terror.
Khamenei described recent anti-government protests in Iran as a "coup attempt" and condemned attacks on police stations and mosques. In response to the European Union declaring the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organization, Iran declared European armies as terrorist groups. On the 47th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution, Iranian MPs wore IRGC uniforms to parliament, chanting "Death to America" and "Death to Israel."
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