The scenarios that could drag Israel into war alongside America

The United States and Gulf states are determined to prevent the current Middle Eastern conflict from escalating into a direct Israeli-Iranian war, fearing it would undermine international legitimacy for their military actions. Israeli officials prefer to capitalise on the pressure America is exerting on Iran without bearing the costs of direct involvement themselves. Even Tehran appears reluctant to see Israel drawn into the confrontation, viewing it as a complication to their strategic calculus. Yet despite this alignment of interests among the major players, Israeli military planners are actively preparing for scenarios in which the fighting could expand significantly. These preparations include contingency plans for potential strikes against Iranian infrastructure, according to Israeli security assessments. The delicate balance reflects a complex regional dynamic where multiple parties are attempting to manage escalation while simultaneously preparing for the possibility that events could spiral beyond their control. Officials in Jerusalem are closely monitoring developments, aware that unforeseen incidents or miscalculations could rapidly change the situation on the ground and force Israel’s hand regardless of current preferences.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.