Most Israeli and American military commentators believe that the U.S. still plans to strike Iran.
By Hezy Laing
The scuttling of the planned American attack on Iran has led many to believe that the idea has been rejected – but is this true?
Most Israeli and American military commentators do not believe the threat of a U.S. strike on Iran is over.
While Washington has recently hesitated, analysts in both countries argue that the possibility of American military action remains real, and in some assessments, may even be increasing.
Their conclusions draw on recent reporting that the U.S. continues to weigh strike options and that Israel remains on high alert for potential Iranian retaliation.
Across Israeli defense circles, the prevailing view is that the United States has not closed the door on a strike.
Israeli military officials told regional media that they see the likelihood of U.S. action as rising rather than diminishing, with assessments shifting “from if to when” Washington might act.
This perspective is shaped by intelligence suggesting that Iran continues to escalate its regional activities and accelerate its nuclear and missile programs.
Israeli analysts also note that Iran itself appears to believe a strike is still possible, as reflected in Tehran’s warnings that it would retaliate directly against Israel if the U.S. attacks.
For Israeli strategists, such threats reinforce the belief that the situation remains volatile and that American deterrence is still in play.
American commentators express a similar view.
Analysts quoted in U.S. media argue that although President Trump recently stepped back from immediate action, he has deliberately kept military options open and continues to receive briefings on potential strike packages.
Some warn that the administration’s mixed signals—public hesitation paired with private planning—may weaken deterrence, but they emphasize that the possibility of intervention remains active.
Others note that domestic political pressures, Iranian behavior, and regional instability could all push Washington toward a strike under the right circumstances.
Both Israeli and American experts agree on one point: the strategic environment has not stabilized.
Iran’s threats, U.S. military preparations, and Israel’s heightened alert posture all indicate that the crisis is ongoing.
While no strike is guaranteed, neither community of analysts believes the threat has passed.
Instead, they describe a tense, unpredictable period in which the United States may still choose to act, and in which Iran is preparing for that possibility.
In short, the threat of a U.S. strike on Iran is very much alive—uncertain, delayed, but far from over.
