Fresh large-scale military action against Iran could begin as early as next week, as Israel and the United States reportedly step up preparations following last month’s ceasefire, according to a report by The New York Times citing two Middle Eastern officials.
According to US officials, one of the military options under consideration involves deploying commando forces inside Iranian territory to recover nuclear materials believed to be buried underground or trapped beneath debris after earlier strikes.
However, military officials warned that such an operation would carry a high risk of casualties. Thousands of support troops would be required to secure the operational zone and establish a defensive perimeter, raising the possibility of direct and intense clashes with Iranian ground forces.
Officials also said another option being discussed is the seizure of Kharg Island — Iran’s main oil export terminal in the Persian Gulf — through the use of ground forces. Additional plans reportedly include broader and more aggressive airstrikes targeting Iranian military installations and critical infrastructure.
Israeli military leaders and senior officials have previously stated that the joint campaign with the United States aimed to destroy Iran’s military capabilities,
eliminate threats posed by its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, and create conditions for regime change by encouraging public pressure against Tehran’s leadership.
Despite the ceasefire reached last month, Israeli officials believe those objectives have not yet been achieved.
The report comes amid growing regional tensions involving the Gulf states, China, Pakistan, and other global powers concerned about the security of the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Middle East.
