Israel, US Coordinate as Iran Takes Extreme Military Steps

Western intelligence agencies have identified unusual military activity by Iran in recent days, against a backdrop of mounting internal pressure and the transfer of power to Mojtaba Khamenei's leadership. Israel and the United States are maintaining close coordination and frequent communication regarding these developments, with the prevailing assessment being that the extreme steps taken by the ayatollah regime stem from internal pressure and deep strategic distress.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone call today with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, part of the ongoing dialogue between Jerusalem and Washington. Netanyahu presented the American president with a situation assessment and updates on developments in Iran under Mojtaba Khamenei's leadership.

Despite identifying the unusual steps, security officials in Israel and the US believe at this stage that the developments in Iran do not constitute a "ticking bomb" requiring immediate and urgent action. Nevertheless, coordination between the two countries continues closely.

Senior Israeli officials are warning that "the boss in Iran is going crazy and there isn't much time," noting that military action has become a very real scenario if Tehran does not change its conduct. Israeli security sources make clear that if a strike is carried out, it must include comprehensive damage to infrastructure, energy facilities, missile systems and the nuclear program.

The political calendar plays a central role in the decision-making process: Israel has only 12 days remaining until its election, and the United States has 19 days until midterm elections. The new intelligence flowing to security systems may be the factor that convinces US President Donald Trump to order another military offensive against the ayatollah regime.

US naval forces in the Middle East (Photo: US military, CENTCOM)

Pentagon Prepares Unprecedented Strike Plans Including 'Mother of All Bombs'

Parallel to policy discussions, the US military has developed comprehensive strike plans against the Islamic Republic, including possible use of the GBU-43/B bomb, known by its menacing nickname "Mother of All Bombs" (MOAB). This was reported by CNN, citing American sources involved in internal US military discussions.

President Trump ordered the military to prepare varied strike packages against Iran, including hits on "numerous energy infrastructure" sites and key nuclear sites. The plans are designed for execution if the president orders renewed attacks, before or after the midterm elections.

The bomb contains approximately 8,500 kilograms of H6 explosive material. Its power is based on a blast that creates a significant shockwave, capable of causing extensive damage to structures and infrastructure in the strike vicinity. The GBU-43 is considered the largest air-dropped bomb built with satellite guidance.

One of the central targets in the strike plans is the fortified nuclear site "Pickaxe Mountain." Trump has hinted repeatedly in recent months about attacking the site, where according to US and Israeli intelligence assessments Tehran stores critical components of its nuclear program. The plans presented explicitly call for using the MOAB bomb to destroy the facility.

However, among senior military officials there are doubts about the weapon's effectiveness. Sources in the US military estimate that the bomb, despite its power, may not be capable of penetrating through the layers of rock and granite protecting the deep underground facility.

A security source noted that the wording in the plans refers to a strike to be carried out "before the American withdrawal from the Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility", indicating the possibility of a swift powerful blow, declaration of victory and hasty exit of forces.

Patriot missile battery (Photo: German military NATO mission)

In a speech at a campaign rally in Arizona, the American president detailed the severe blow US forces inflicted on Iran's ruling elite. "We hit their leadership brutally," Trump claimed. "The first tier of leaders was eliminated, so they appointed a second tier. When we pursued and eliminated the second tier as well, they moved to a third tier and half of that is already gone."

Referring to continued fighting on the ground, the president made clear the campaign is in its final stretch: "This is going to end very soon." Alongside the assessment of combat ending, Trump explained why the aggressive military steps were necessary, warning of a scenario where the Iranian regime achieves operational nuclear capability. "If Iran had the opportunity to obtain nuclear weapons, they wouldn't wait even 24 hours to use them," he said.

Meanwhile, Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf sharply attacked Washington and made clear that diplomatic contacts are insufficient. "They violate everything they promise," he said in a speech broadcast on state television. According to him, the only response to a "bullying enemy" is real readiness for combat. "We must fight truly and courageously on the battlefield," he declared, emphasizing that only a show of force on the ground will create "stable deterrence over time."