Military analyst at Haaretz newspaper, Amos Harel, considered the new deadline granted by US President Donald Trump to the Iranian leadership, which extends for five days, not merely a diplomatic respite. Harel explained that the essential goal of this postponement is to give the American administration additional time to arrange its military options and prepare potential response scenarios in case the political path fails.
The analysis indicated that this behavior falls within Trump's usual tactics, where he mixes direct threats with leaving a slightly open window for negotiations. This move coincides with tangible military reinforcements in the region, including the deployment of naval units and marines to be on standby for any field emergency.
Should talks reach a dead end, Harel revealed that Washington has unprecedented escalatory options on the table. Prominent among these options is military intervention to break any blockade Tehran might impose on the Strait of Hormuz, ensuring freedom of international navigation by armed force if necessary.
Potential American plans also include field control over strategic Iranian sites, foremost among them Kharg Island, which is a vital artery for oil export. This approach aims to dry up Iranian funding sources and pressure the regime by controlling key national economic hubs.
The threats did not stop there but also included the possibility of focused air and missile strikes targeting energy facilities deep inside Iran. The analyst believes these threats aim to send a firm message that the United States is prepared to go to great lengths to protect its interests and allies.
On the ground, Harel noted that the current US administration has not set clear restrictions or red lines for military operations carried out by the occupation against Iranian targets. Air attacks continued to target various sites, reflecting a kind of implicit coordination or American turning a blind eye to Israeli movements.
Regarding the role of the head of the occupation government, Benjamin Netanyahu, the analysis clarified that his influence on White House decisions remains tangible and present. However, Harel believes that this influence has become less decisive compared to previous periods, as Trump tends to make his decisions based on his own vision for his country's interests first.
The analyst affirmed that the final decision on escalation or de-escalation remains solely with Trump, who may accept political compromises that do not fully satisfy the occupation's ambitions. This potential divergence in views indicates the complexity of the relationship between Washington and Tel Aviv in managing the thorny Iranian issue.
Regarding the future of the regime in Tehran, the analysis ruled out that the goal of "regime change" is seriously on the table in any imminent agreement. Despite Trump's previous enthusiastic statements about the collapse of the regime, political realism has begun to assert itself at the current negotiating table.
Issues related to the nuclear program remain the biggest obstacle in any potential negotiation path between the two parties. The stock of enriched uranium and advanced centrifuges constitute the cornerstone of American and international demands to ensure Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons.
In addition to the nuclear file, the issue of Iranian ballistic missiles stands out as one of the thorny issues that Washington insists on including in any settlement. The United States considers Tehran's growing missile capabilities a direct threat to regional stability and its military bases in the region.
Harel concluded that Iranian support for armed groups in the Middle East remains a constant item on the list of American demands. He believes that any agreement that does not address the issue of Iranian regional influence will remain incomplete from the perspective of security circles in both Washington and Tel Aviv.
The postponement is seen as part of a tactic that combines threats and opening the door for negotiation, in parallel with strengthening the military presence in the region.
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Military Analysis: Trump's Deadline for Iran a Tactic to Arrange Military Options and Expand Field Presence