As tensions simmer in the Middle East, Israel is gearing up for new assaults on Iran, prompted by President Donald Trump’s dwindling patience following recent attacks on U.S. forces and their allies. These planned strikes would focus on high-ranking Iranian officials and crucial energy facilities, as revealed by an Israeli source to CNN. The objective is to conduct a swift campaign aimed at coercing Iran into making further concessions during ongoing negotiations. This military action was initially on standby before the ceasefire agreement reached in early April. However, Trump remains cautious, wary of reigniting a full-scale conflict that could worsen the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Israeli Skepticism Toward Iranian Peace Efforts
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently approached Iranian peace gestures with skepticism. Tensions escalated when Iranian missiles were launched towards the United Arab Emirates on Monday, pushing Israel to expedite its strike plans, according to an Israeli official speaking to CNN. Meanwhile, Trump declared that significant progress had been made, stating, “We’ve taken out most of America’s remaining targets,” and optimistically projected the war’s end within the next three weeks. During a conversation with radio host Hugh Hewitt, Trump estimated, “Probably another two weeks, maybe three weeks. Time is not of the essence for us.”
US Position on Protecting Shipping Without Escalation
Despite these developments, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized on Tuesday that the ceasefire remains intact, although he acknowledged nearly a dozen attacks on U.S. troops by Iranian forces since the pause in hostilities. At a Pentagon briefing, Hegseth asserted that the U.S. is committed to safeguarding shipping routes from Iranian threats, clarifying that there is no intention to encroach upon Iranian airspace or waters to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. “We’re not looking for a fight. They said they control the Strait, they do not,” he stated. This comes amid Iran’s chief negotiator warning that Tehran has only just begun its efforts to dominate the strategic waterway. General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reported that Iran has launched over 10 attacks on U.S. forces since the ceasefire’s inception last month. Despite facing increasing pressure from a U.S. blockade on its ports, Tehran remains steadfast in its refusal to re-enter negotiations.
Iran launched devastating new strikes in the Middle East on Monday after Trump announced the US Navy would reopen the Hormuz Strait with the launch of ‘Project Freedom .’ Hegseth told reporters the Pentagon stands ‘locked and loaded’ to respond immediately if Trump orders military strikes to resume . ‘That option is always there,’ Hegseth said. ‘And Iran knows that, and that’s why, you know, their choices in Project Freedom are important.’ ‘Trump has directed US Central Command to restart the free flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz under the umbrella of Project Freedom ,’ Hegseth added. ‘To be clear, this operation is separate and distinct from Operation Epic Fury.’ Trump announced the effort to guide commercial tankers through the Strait where hundreds have been stuck since the Iran war began on February 28.
Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) responded by warning that any ship found violating the regime’s maritime rules will be stopped by force. Iran launched four missiles at America’s Middle East ally the UAE on Monday and blew up a major oil port, following Trump’s move to reopen the strait . The UAE issued a missile alert, the first since the fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran was announced last month. Its defense ministry said it intercepted three missiles, while a fourth ‘fell into the sea.’ An official noted that the country’s air defenses ‘are currently dealing with missile attacks and incoming drones from Iran.’ Trump said the US had ‘shot down seven small boats’ during the latest skirmish but said only a South Korean ship had sustained damage.
‘Perhaps it’s time for South Korea to come and join the mission!,’ the President suggested on Truth Social. Tehran’s decision to launch these attacks officially resumes hostilities between Iran and the US in the Middle East. Authorities also announced that a massive fire broke out at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zones on Monday following a drone attack from Iran. A senior US official said that US warships and aircraft protected several commercial vessels from Iranian attacks earlier on Monday. Sources said an Iranian drone successfully struck a Marshall Islands-linked oil vessel named the JV Innovation while it was attempting to move through the strait. US warships responded to the cruise missile fire by sinking six small Iranian boats.
