The complexity of reaching hardened Iranian targets, such as the Pickaxe Mountain facility, dictates a joint approach.
By Hezy Laing
Military analysts and regional security experts are increasingly signaling that a coordinated, large-scale strike by Israel and the United States against Iran is highly probable.
This potential operation is seen as a necessary follow-up to the June 2025 “12-Day War,” which saw Israel and the US target Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
Strategic Drivers for a Joint Offensive
While the 2025 strikes “crippled” Iran’s nuclear advancement, recent satellite imagery reveals that Tehran is rapidly rebuilding its missile-related infrastructure. Experts argue that neither nation can allow Iran to fully reconstitute its capabilities, making a joint return to offensive operations the most logical strategic path.
Experts say this action could also trigger the collapse of the Islamic Republic, which is currently facing wide-scale protests and economic distress. According to Business Today, former National Security Adviser John Bolton asserts that any military force used should aim explicitly for regime change.
Seyed Hossein Mousavian, a former Iranian national security official and current researcher at Princeton, emphasized that the Trump administration appears committed to a decisive military outcome. He noted that many experts believe Trump has already made the decision for a new strike, which would be an “existential war” for Tehran.
The Necessity of Joint Force
The complexity of reaching hardened Iranian targets, such as the Pickaxe Mountain facility, dictates a joint approach. RAND Corporation analysts have pointed out that Israel lacks the heavy ordnance required to destroy these deep-buried sites alone, making U.S. participation—specifically its heavy bombers—essential for a successful mission.
Avi Ashkenazi, a military analyst for Maariv, highlighted the depth of current intelligence sharing between Jerusalem and Washington. He suggested that while Israel is prepared to act alone if necessary, the prevailing belief is that the U.S. will ultimately launch the strike and provide Israel the operational “green light” to join in over Iranian territory.
Uncompromising Red Lines
Israeli leadership has remained firm on the inevitability of further action. Yiftach Ron-Tal, a former IDF Major General, has consistently argued that continuous military pressure is the only way to neutralize the Iranian threat, viewing another joint offensive as a required step to “finish the job” started in 2025.
With U.S. aircraft carriers and F-35 fighter jets currently amassing in the region, the infrastructure for a joint 2026 offensive is already being established.
Former Pentagon officials have highlighted the expanded 2026 U.S.–Israel “Juniper Oak” exercises, which included long‑range strike simulations, aerial refueling, and integrated air‑defense suppression.
These drills were widely interpreted as preparation for a potential crisis scenario involving Iran.
If Israel and the United States were to act together, experts say the division of labor would reflect each military’s strengths.
The Israeli Air Force would likely handle precision strikes on specific nuclear facilities, electronic‑warfare operations, and rapid‑entry missions using its upgraded F‑35I fleet.
The U.S. Air Force, with its B‑2 and B‑21 bombers now fully operational, would take responsibility for deep‑penetration strikes, heavy ordnance delivery, and broad suppression of Iranian air defenses.
Coordination would rely on shared targeting data, synchronized timing, and pre‑planned air corridors rehearsed in recent joint exercises.
Officials in both countries continue to emphasize diplomacy, but 2026 assessments warn that Iran’s nuclear advances are accelerating.
The strategic dialogue between Jerusalem and Washington has clearly entered a more urgent phase.
