US Tells IDF to Prepare for Renewed Iran War: Report

US Central Command (CENTCOM) has in recent days told IDF representatives in the United States to prepare for the possibility of renewed fighting with Iran in the near term, Israel's public broadcaster Kan News reported on Thursday evening.

The report, by Kan correspondent Itay Blumenthal on the network's main evening newscast, cited an American source who said similar messages had been passed to the Gulf states at the same time. Israel's defense establishment and the Gulf states are closely watching for possible developments on the Iranian front.

The messages point to a notable gap between operational preparations on the ground and the public statements US President Donald Trump has recently made about policy in the region.

The report comes amid a broad and continuing American military buildup in the Middle East. According to the reported details, the United States has deployed some 200 refueling aircraft to the region alongside two aircraft carriers already operating there. A third carrier is expected to arrive next week, significantly boosting American strike and defensive capabilities in the theater.

US forces facing Iran (Photo: CENTCOM, US military)

Tensions with Tehran remain high. Last week, CENTCOM established a new task force, named "Iron Gate," aimed at stopping the transfer of weapons and equipment through Iran's overland trade routes and the Caspian Sea. The task force adds to the naval blockade the United States is enforcing on Iran, which CENTCOM estimates has so far prevented more than $25 billion worth of Iranian oil exports.

Alongside the military buildup, Qatar and Pakistan are leading intensive mediation efforts aimed at reaching an interim arrangement between Washington and Tehran. According to international media reports, the emerging framework includes capping uranium enrichment at 3.67%, releasing between $6 billion and $9 billion in frozen Iranian funds, opening the Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic and lifting the US naval blockade on Iranian ports.

Trump, however, has cast doubt on the prospects for a deal, making clear that in his view there is no longer any need to negotiate with the Islamic Republic. In a statement, he said he had asked Vice President JD Vance to devote his full attention instead to fighting corruption and crime in cities and states run by the Democratic Party.

In Israel, Defense Minister Israel Katz held a multi-front situation assessment with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Defense Ministry Director-General Maj. Gen. (res.) Amir Baram, the heads of the IDF's Operations and Planning Directorates and other senior defense officials.

After the meeting, Katz said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the defense minister and the chief of staff see eye to eye on every aspect of the Iranian issue and on the need to confront any threat with determination. "We will continue to act together and do whatever is required to ensure the security of the State of Israel and protect its citizens," Katz said.