While Israeli officials assess that a deal between Iran and the United States is unlikely, they are concerned that US President Donald Trump could announce a temporary ceasefire to demonstrate his commitment to reaching an agreement.
“At present, the positions of Tehran and Washington make the likelihood of an agreement somewhere between slim and nonexistent. Still, Trump could surprise us,” an Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post.
Israel has no indication that Trump intends to declare a ceasefire, but it is preparing for that possibility. On Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with senior security officials and a small group of ministers. A Security Cabinet session is expected to follow.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the United States is close to achieving its core war objectives and is ahead of schedule.
“Iran has not rejected the American proposal. The talks are productive and ongoing. There is some truth to the reports, but some of the stories I’ve read are not entirely accurate,” she said.
“The last time Iran misjudged the situation, it cost them their senior leadership as well as their air and naval forces.”
The US administration is working to coordinate a meeting between senior American and Iranian officials later this week in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital. Iranian media have described a 15-point document presented by Trump to Tehran as “unacceptable.”
Thousands of US soldiers, landing equipment, being deployed to CENTCOM area of operations
Thousands of Marines and paratroopers, along with amphibious landing ships, are being deployed to the Middle East.
“The [US Central Command] CENTCOM commander requested the capabilities that the Marines and paratroopers provide to ensure maximum operational flexibility to achieve the objectives,” a senior US official told the Post.
Leavitt said Trump is keeping all options on the table.
Israel’s position, rejecting concessions to Iran, is also supported by Gulf states. In an article in The Wall Street Journal, Yousef Al Otaiba, the United Arab Emirates’ ambassador to the United States, wrote that the war must end decisively.
“We need a decisive outcome that addresses the full spectrum of Iran’s threats: nuclear capabilities, missiles, drones, proxy networks, and disruptions to international shipping routes,” he wrote.
He added that although Iran’s nuclear capabilities have been degraded and its proxies weakened, further action is required.
“We are ready to join an international initiative to reopen the strait and keep it open.”
These remarks reflect similar concerns in Saudi Arabia over potential US concessions to Iran. According to reports, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told Trump in phone calls that this is a “historic opportunity” and urged him to continue the war.