Middle East on Edge as US, Israel Signal Readiness for Action Against Iran
News Desk: The spectre of a fresh Middle East conflict (war) is intensifying, with reports indicating that the United States military is prepared for a possible strike on Iran as early as this weekend. However, President Donald Trump has not yet taken a final call.
The White House has added to the growing unease. In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday (February 18), Trump hinted at potential military action against Tehran. Reinforcing the pressure, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt warned reporters that Iran “would be very wise to make a deal with President Trump and with his administration.”
Conflict Risk Rising, Say Officials
Tensions between Washington and Tehran have surged sharply. According to a report by Axios, senior officials and analysts fear that a large-scale confrontation could erupt within days and potentially last for weeks—even as diplomatic engagement continues.
The report cited former Israeli Military Intelligence chief Amos Yadlin, who said the probability of conflict has increased markedly. Speaking to Israel’s Channel 12 after the second round of US-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva, Yadlin cautioned that while the situation has escalated, war is not inevitable.
“We are much closer than we were before, but a superpower does not go to war in a matter of days. There is a diplomatic path that must be exhausted,” he said, while noting that visible US military preparations near Iran make the threat credible.
Multi-Week Campaign Likely if Strike Happens
US officials believe any military action would be far from symbolic. Axios reported that planners are preparing for a sustained campaign that could stretch over several weeks. One White House official reportedly assessed the probability of a strike in the coming weeks at 90 percent.
Sources close to Trump say the president is growing increasingly impatient. While some advisers are pushing for restraint, others view kinetic military action as increasingly likely.
The report further suggested that any operation could be conducted jointly with Israel and might surpass last year’s 12-day Israeli-led strikes on Iranian targets.
Israel Signals Readiness
Israeli officials are also bracing for escalation. Two officials told Axios that Israel is preparing for a conflict that could break out “within days” and is advocating for an operation capable of directly threatening Iran’s ruling establishment.
Boaz Bismuth, chair of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, acknowledged the gravity of the moment, saying Israel is entering “challenging days” and that both authorities and the public are preparing for multiple contingencies.
Explosions, Drills Add to Regional Anxiety
Regional tensions were further inflamed after a fire in Parand, Tehran province, sent thick smoke into the sky. Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB later attributed the incident to reeds burning along a riverbank, reporting no casualties or significant damage.
Despite the rising rhetoric, diplomacy has not collapsed. Iran said following Tuesday’s Geneva talks that both sides had agreed on “guiding principles” aimed at preventing conflict.
However, US Vice President JD Vance indicated Tehran has yet to accept all of Washington’s red lines. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, speaking in Paris during meetings linked to the International Atomic Energy Agency, reiterated that the US remains determined to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Massive Military Movements Detected
Open-source flight tracking has revealed dozens of US fighter aircraft—including F-22s, F-35s and F-16s—moving toward the Middle East, supported by aerial refuelling assets.
At the same time, Iranian media reported upcoming joint naval exercises with Russia in the Sea of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have also launched drills in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
With military deployments accelerating on both sides, fears are mounting that the region could be edging toward a wider conflict—one that may carry serious regional and global repercussions.
