Amid the US and Israeli war with Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, 35 countries are convening for an emergency summit aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the Gulf. Washington is not taking part in the meeting, while European countries are preparing for the possibility of using military force.

The latest statements by US President Donald Trump only adds to the confusion, and may have been intended to do exactly that. In the absence of an official Iranian response, attention is shifting to developments on the ground: If there is indeed a significant increase in the movement of ships and tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, that could point to advanced contacts.

Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz is pushing Gulf states to advance massive plans for alternative oil and gas export pipelines, the Financial Times reported. Despite costs running into the tens of billions of dollars and major security hurdles, Middle East officials believe this is the best path under current conditions.

According to The Atlantic, the first operation would involve seizing Kharg Island, which handles 90% of Iran’s oil exports, while the second would focus on removing enriched uranium from Iran using special forces. Sources said President Donald Trump has not yet made a decision.

Brig. Gen. S., commander of Tel Nof Airbase, landed an hour and a half before this interview after carrying out a strike in Iran. In an exclusive interview with Israel Hayom, he describes what goes through a pilot’s mind on the way there and back, why he joins missions himself despite his rank, and how this war differs from anything that came before it. “We’re not doing this for fun. We’re doing it so we won’t have to go back a third time.”