Netanyahu and Defence Minister skip military ceremony amid Iran tensions

Israeli officials have downplayed concerns about an escalating conflict with Iran following comments from Donald Trump suggesting a ceasefire has ended. Intelligence assessments in Jerusalem suggest that whilst tensions between the United States and Iran remain high, a full-scale war is unlikely to materialise at least until the US midterm elections. Israeli officials believe economic pressure on Tehran, rather than military confrontation, holds greater potential for destabilising the Iranian regime. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant cancelled their attendance at a military ceremony on Tuesday, instead opting to convene an emergency security discussion. An Iranian official responded to the tensions by warning that Iran would close the Strait of Hormuz—a critical global shipping route—if attacked again. The escalating rhetoric comes as both countries continue positioning themselves for potential further conflict in the volatile Middle Eastern region.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.