Israeli Military Ready to Resume Combat Against Iran Amid US–Iran Talks: Army Chief

Jerusalem, May 2026 : The Israeli military is fully prepared to restart combat operations against Iran if required, the country’s top military officer said on Sunday, even as diplomatic discussions between the United States and Iran reportedly show signs of progress.

Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir made the statement during a security assessment held at the Israeli military’s Northern Command. According to an official military statement, Zamir emphasized that the armed forces remain on high alert and capable of launching immediate operations if the situation demands.

He stated that the Israeli military “is prepared to resume intense combat operations immediately” with the objective of further degrading Iran’s military capabilities. He further added that Israel would “maintain readiness and operational flexibility for as long as required,” underlining the country’s continued security concerns over Tehran’s regional influence and nuclear programme.

The remarks come at a time when US-Iran diplomatic channels are reportedly making incremental progress, particularly on efforts to extend a ceasefire understanding and reopen key maritime routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. However, significant disagreements remain unresolved, especially over Iran’s nuclear enrichment activities.

The evolving diplomatic situation has also prompted heightened political consultations in Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet was expected to meet on Sunday evening to assess regional developments and coordinate Israel’s strategic response.

In parallel, Zamir noted that Israeli forces are continuing military operations against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, stating that strikes are being carried out “across all dimensions.” While a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was announced earlier in April, Israeli forces have not withdrawn from southern Lebanon and continue daily operations, claiming they are targeting Hezbollah infrastructure and operatives.

Prime Minister Netanyahu also reiterated his firm stance on Iran’s nuclear programme, stating that he and US President Donald Trump share a common position on eliminating what he described as the “nuclear danger” posed by Tehran. In a post on social media platform X, Netanyahu said he had discussed ongoing regional developments with Trump, including negotiations linked to the Strait of Hormuz and broader nuclear talks.

He also expressed appreciation for what he described as Trump’s strong commitment to Israel’s security, referring to past joint military coordination between the two nations against Iranian-linked threats.

Netanyahu further stressed that any final agreement with Iran must ensure the complete dismantling of its nuclear enrichment facilities and the removal of enriched nuclear material from its territory, reinforcing Israel’s long-standing position on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)