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Israel is willing to join the United States in striking Iran should President Donald Trump request it, sources in Jerusalem told the New York Post, as reported by the Jerusalem Post. However, IDF officials said Israel is not planning to be drawn into the US-Iran exchanges at this time, while remaining ready for any eventuality.

Coverage Comparison

The Jerusalem Post, the only outlet whose coverage is examined here, reported the story across several articles with slightly different emphases. One report, citing sources in Jerusalem, focused on Israel's willingness to participate in US-led strikes. Another piece highlighted IDF coordination with the US military on possible scenarios, including one in which Israel joins the strikes. A third article centered on President Trump's statements about Iran's desire for a deal and his threat of a 20-to-1 response.

Key Claims

  • Israel is willing to join the US in striking Iran if Trump requests it, according to sources in Jerusalem. One source said, "We're willing to do it again, if needed," and added, "We've proved that we stand with the US. I'm not sure it will be of interest to the US that Israel will join on this - but, you know, we realize that we need to stretch our muscles."
  • IDF officials told the Jerusalem Post that Israel is not planning to be drawn into the US-Iran exchanges at this time, though the military is ready for any eventuality. They also said the current assumption is that Iran doesn't plan to drag Israel into the conflict.
  • The US and Iran renewed strikes this week. According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes came in response to Iran's attempts to "impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway." CENTCOM confirmed that US forces hit approximately 80 Iranian military targets on July 7.
  • President Trump said he felt the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Iran was nullified following overnight strikes in the Strait of Hormuz. "To me, I think it's over," he said at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. He also said the US had "wasted a lot of time" negotiating with Iran.
  • Trump claimed that Iran had called wanting to make a deal, saying, "They have very little left, and they want to make a deal so badly." He expressed doubt about Iran's reliability: "I just don't know if they're worthy of making a deal. I don't know that they're going to honor the deal, that's the problem."
  • Trump threatened to strike Iran "20-to-1" in response to attacks on commercial vessels. "Every time they hit us, we're going to hit them 20," he said.
  • The IDF coordinated with the US military on several possible scenarios amidst the escalations, including one where the US intensifies its response and Israel joins the strikes, according to a senior security official.
  • Tensions between two camps in Iran's leadership are delaying negotiations, the official said. The "pragmatic" camp includes President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, described as "rational." The "fanatical and religious" camp, led by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and IRGC Commander Ahmad Vahidi, has hardened positions.
  • The IDF remains on high alert, prepared defensively for a range of possible responses, in coordination with the US military.

Perspectives

Israel's Defense Establishment

A senior security official said the IDF coordinated with the US military on possible scenarios, including Israel joining strikes. The official said Israel's defense establishment is on high alert and prepared defensively, taking no risks given extreme statements from Iranian officials against Trump.

Israel's Political Sources

Sources in Jerusalem expressed willingness to join US strikes if asked, saying Israel stands with the US and needs to "stretch our muscles." However, IDF officials indicated no immediate plans for Israel to enter the conflict.

US President Donald Trump

Trump stated Iran had called wanting a deal but questioned Iran's trustworthiness. He threatened a 20-to-1 response to Iranian attacks and said the MoU was nullified. He also mentioned being "number one" on Iran's list, joking about the threat.

Iran's Leadership Camps (as described by Israeli officials)

According to the senior security official, Iran's leadership is split between a "pragmatic" camp willing to negotiate and a "fanatical" camp led by the Supreme Leader, which is delaying decisions. The official described the latter as "chess players with patience" who assess that Trump doesn't want to return to fighting.