Israel is approaching boiling point as the country's political leadership has maintained complete silence in recent days over the possibility that it may join the US campaign against Iran.
The smaller security cabinet is scheduled to convene Friday, showcasing Israel's close monitoring of developments. "The region is reaching boiling point, but Trump will decide whether Israel enters the campaign. Alternatively, any Iranian fire against Israel will, of course, be met with a response," Israeli officials said.
"A wider campaign could develop at any moment. The Iranians could open fire, and we are on maximum alert," they added.
Israeli officials believe Iran has dramatically increased its readiness. Given the heightened tensions across the region, there is significant concern that a miscalculation could occur even before US President Donald Trump decides whether to bring Israel into the campaign.
It should be noted, however, that the conflict between the United States and Iran has already been underway for 12 days, while Israel has so far remained on the sidelines. No one is attempting to predict Trump's next move, but all of Israel's security agencies are prepared to enter the campaign should such a decision be made.
Earlier, journalist Barak Ravid published an interview with Trump on Axios in which the US president said he was considering "a massive attack on Iran, larger than the one carried out during Operation Epic Fury."
Trump added that, should he wish, Israel could join the campaign "within two minutes," although it remains unclear whether that will happen.
