Netanyahu says Israel ‘prepared for all possibilities’ over Iran as Trump signals talks and warns of strikes
Israel-Iran tensions rise as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells security cabinet Israel is “prepared for all possibilities” after US signals possible agreement and renewed threats.
Netanyahu’s directive to the armed forces
Benjamin Netanyahu told members of Israel’s small security cabinet that the country was “prepared for all possibilities” in relation to Iran, according to a video released by his office.
He said those instructions had been given to the Israel Defense Forces and the country’s security agencies as a matter of national readiness.
Netanyahu’s remarks were delivered at the start of the meeting and framed as a clear order to keep both military and intelligence capabilities on alert.
The phrasing underscored a posture of deterrence while leaving open a range of diplomatic and operational options.
Trump’s ‘big assumption’ on talks with Tehran
The Israeli leader’s statement followed comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who spoke of a “big assumption” that an agreement with Tehran could be reached, while also warning that strikes could resume.
Trump’s remarks introduced an ambiguous mix of diplomacy and the threat of force that has shaped recent exchanges between Washington and Tehran.
U.S. signals of a possible deal, paired with explicit warnings about military action, present a dual-track approach that has complicated regional calculations.
Those varying messages have prompted close attention from allied capitals, including Jerusalem, which must weigh both the prospect of negotiations and the risk of renewed confrontation.
Small security cabinet convenes by video
The meeting at which Netanyahu spoke was described as a session of the small security cabinet, a body that handles urgent defence and foreign policy questions.
The prime minister’s office circulated a short video of his opening remarks rather than a full transcript or extended briefing.
Holding such deliberations in a compact, high-level format reflects the sensitive nature of decisions involving Iran, Israeli defence posture and coordination with international partners.
Officials often use these smaller forums to balance the need for rapid decision-making with tight control over classified intelligence.
Military readiness and contingency planning
Officials in Jerusalem routinely emphasise that readiness does not necessarily presage immediate action, but is intended to preserve deterrence and flexibility.
By formally instructing the armed forces and security services to be ready for “all possibilities,” leadership signals preparedness to respond if a threshold is crossed.
Contingency planning typically involves multiple scenarios — from targeted strikes and defensive deployments to intelligence operations and civil preparedness measures.
Israeli authorities historically calibrate posture changes to intelligence assessments, diplomatic signals and the perceived level of threat from Iranian activities.
Regional diplomatic repercussions
Statements from both Jerusalem and Washington are being monitored closely by Gulf states and other regional actors who seek to avoid escalation while protecting strategic interests.
Any move toward military action or a sudden breakdown in talks with Tehran could have immediate implications for maritime security, energy routes and diplomatic alignments across the Gulf.
At the same time, the prospect of renewed negotiations with Iran has prompted a cautious diplomatic recalibration among neighbours, who balance economic and security priorities.
Governments in the region will likely press for clarity from key players and may intensify back-channel contacts to manage risks and preserve stability.
Allied coordination and international responses
Israel’s posture and U.S. statements will be assessed in allied capitals as they consider their own responses and the need for coordinated messaging.
Multilateral institutions and partners that favour diplomatic solutions are likely to urge restraint while insisting on robust verification mechanisms for any agreement with Tehran.
Military planners and diplomats alike will be watching for shifts in rhetoric, troop movements and diplomatic traffic that could signal either de-escalation or preparation for direct action.
The coming days are expected to bring intensified consultations among the United States, Israel and regional partners to align policy and contingency planning.
Netanyahu’s declaration that Israel is “prepared for all possibilities,” coupled with President Trump’s mix of diplomatic overtures and forceful warnings, leaves the region facing a fraught and uncertain period in which both deterrence and diplomacy will be tested.