Israel Says It Has 'No Interest' In US-Iran War, But One Call From Trump...

Israel Says It Has 'No Interest' In US-Iran War, But One Call From Trump...

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Last Updated: July 22, 2026, 18:32 IST

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a limited security meeting recently to assess the latest developments involving Iran.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump. (AFP file)

Israel is preparing for the possibility of being drawn back into the US-Iran conflict if President Donald Trump decides to expand American military action, though for now it has no immediate plans to join the fighting, according to three Israeli sources.

With its forces on high alert, Israel is drawing up operational plans for a possible escalation but is, for the moment, staying on the sidelines. Israel has not taken part directly in the renewed fighting, which began in early July after Iranian attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, and the United States has not asked it to join the campaign.

One of the Israeli sources said that if Trump decided to significantly widen the strikes and requested Israeli participation, “We will be ready."

What is Israel planning?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a limited security meeting on Monday night to assess the latest developments involving Iran, according to one of the sources.

Officials discussed several possible situations that could draw Israel into the conflict. These included joining the campaign at Washington’s request, responding if Iran launched an attack that required retaliation, or carrying out a pre-emptive strike against what Israel believes could be an imminent threat.

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir also stressed the military’s preparedness on Sunday.

“We are prepared for an immediate return to fighting and will act with great force against anyone who harms us," he said.

Israel prefers to remain on the sidelines

Despite the military preparations, one of the sources said Israel is currently satisfied with the existing situation, in which the US and Iran continue exchanging strikes while remaining far from reaching a nuclear agreement.

According to the source, Israel believes continued economic pressure on Tehran serves its strategic interests.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who attended the security consultation, said on Tuesday that Israel had no interest in entering the conflict at this stage.

Speaking at a conference, Smotrich said the limited confrontation between the United States and Iran was increasing pressure on the Iranian regime.

“The best way to bring about the regime’s downfall is to crush it economically," he said, referring to Iran’s rising inflation. “Therefore, the current situation works in our favor, and we have no interest in pushing ourselves into it."

Economic pressure on Iran

One of the sources said Israel believes recent US strikes on bridges inside Iran significantly damaged the country’s transport and commercial networks.

“The Iranian economy is collapsing, and eventually this will weaken the regime further," the source said.

The source also noted that widespread inflation and poverty had triggered mass protests in January, and that Israel considers Iran’s economy one of the regime’s biggest vulnerabilities.

Trump’s call could change everything

A senior Israeli official told CNN that the possibility of the Hormuz attacks escalating and eventually drawing Israel into the conflict had increased in recent days, although the situation remained fluid.

The official said Israel was closely monitoring diplomatic efforts across the region aimed at reducing tensions, adding that some members of Trump’s circle continued to push for diplomacy to prevent a wider war.

If Israel eventually enters the conflict, another Israeli official said it would focus on high-value targets, particularly Iran’s energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities. According to the official, these were targets Israel had wanted to strike during the March campaign but had been restrained from attacking by Trump because of concerns over the potential impact on Gulf countries and global oil prices.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu has been trying for weeks to arrange a face-to-face meeting with Trump, although no date has been fixed. The two leaders have not met in person since February, before the Iran campaign, but have remained in regular contact. One source said Netanyahu is considering travelling to the US next week for the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham and is exploring the possibility of meeting Trump during the visit.

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Key Questions Answered Will Israel join the US in a wider conflict with Iran? Israel has "no interest" in joining the US military campaign against Iran for now, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stating it is the "best scenario" for Israel. How could economic pressure impact Iran's regime? Economic pressure on Iran's regime could lead to renewed unrest and disaster if sanctions are not lifted. US blockades are choking off imports and oil exports, crippling factories, jobs, and exports, and raising prices. What are Israel's strategic interests in this situation? Israel's strategic interests lie in continued economic pressure on Iran, as the current US-Iran conflict weakens Tehran without directly involving Israel. Israel aims to avoid direct involvement to conserve military resources and limit exposure to Iranian retaliation.

About the Author Shuddhanta Patra Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior Sub‑Editor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influen... Read More

Location : Israel

First Published: July 22, 2026, 18:32 IST

News world Israel Says It Has 'No Interest' In US-Iran War, But One Call From Trump...

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