On the sidelines of the conflict between the US and Iran, Israel is watching as economic pressure builds on Iran while preparing for the possibility of further escalation, according to three Israeli sources.
Israel has not been directly involved in fighting with Iran since a 24-hour exchange of fire in early-June.
The sources said that Washington has not asked Israel to join the campaign against Iran. But if US President Donald Trump were to decide to significantly expand the strikes and call on Israel to join, one of the sources said, “We will be ready.”
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are on high alert, but the source said that Israel is content with a continuation of the status quo: staying on the sidelines while the US and Iran continue to exchange blows and remain far from a nuclear deal, as economic pressure on Tehran continues building.
“At the moment, Israel has no interest in joining the campaign,” Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who participated in the security consultation, said Tuesday. Speaking at a conference, Smotrich said the limited confrontation between Iran and the US serves Israeli interests as it increases pressure on the Iranian regime. “The best way to bring about the regime’s downfall is to crush it economically,” Smotrich said.
-CNN
Israel has not been directly involved in fighting with Iran since a 24-hour exchange of fire in early-June.
The sources said that Washington has not asked Israel to join the campaign against Iran. But if US President Donald Trump were to decide to significantly expand the strikes and call on Israel to join, one of the sources said, “We will be ready.”
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are on high alert, but the source said that Israel is content with a continuation of the status quo: staying on the sidelines while the US and Iran continue to exchange blows and remain far from a nuclear deal, as economic pressure on Tehran continues building.
“At the moment, Israel has no interest in joining the campaign,” Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who participated in the security consultation, said Tuesday. Speaking at a conference, Smotrich said the limited confrontation between Iran and the US serves Israeli interests as it increases pressure on the Iranian regime. “The best way to bring about the regime’s downfall is to crush it economically,” Smotrich said.
-CNN
