Israeli Security Officials Assess Reduced Likelihood of Military Conflict with Iran

According to Walla News, Israeli security officials stated following a series of meetings with American counterparts that the likelihood of military escalation with Iran in the near term has decreased. According to this assessment, Donald Trump's decision to impose a new round of severe economic sanctions is intended to "buy time" until after the US midterm elections. Nevertheless, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced it will increase its readiness for potential scenarios, including the renewal of strikes, across all sectors, including intelligence, ammunition procurement, interceptor production, and air force readiness. Security sources emphasized that without decisive action and aggressive enforcement of sanctions by the US against Iran's trade and oil partners, achieving desired results will be difficult. Meanwhile, there are concerns within Israeli security institutions regarding the funding required for urgent military procurement and the modernization of the air fleet. Meetings are scheduled for next week between the IDF, the Ministry of Defense, and the Ministry of Finance to discuss increasing the budget deficit ceiling to facilitate these acquisitions. Separately, in response to the new US sanctions, a spokesperson for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) threatened that if war breaks out, Iran will use weapons "far more destructive" than those used in previous conflicts.