Former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Dr. Michael Oren said Tuesday that he believes Israel may soon find itself back at war with Iran, and agreed that Israelis should once again stock up on bottled water for their safe rooms.
Oren was asked whether he thought Israel could be in the middle of a war "tomorrow or the day after." He first answered "possibly." When the host pressed him on whether he thought it would actually happen, Oren replied, "My gut feeling says yes."
He added that US President Donald Trump is doing "everything, everything, everything" to avoid being drawn into a war.
The host then asked whether Oren was recommending that listeners buy six-packs of water for their safe rooms again. "Yes," Oren replied, adding that people should be on alert.
Oren's remarks come as tensions mount on the day of the US midterm elections. According to The Times of Israel, Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly spoke by phone over the weekend about plans to resume strikes on Iran, and the US reportedly warned its Gulf allies to prepare for a possible new conflict as early as November 4, the day after the midterms.
The president himself has projected less urgency. Trump told Channel 12 that he is in no rush to decide whether to resume the war, saying US economic pressure is weakening Tehran and that the Iranian public is tired of the situation. Last month, NPR reported that the US and Israel were preparing plans for a possible attack on Iran in early November, after the midterms.
Diplomatic efforts continue alongside the military preparations. Qatar says it is still passing ideas between Washington and Tehran, while Iran reportedly expects a return to war.
The war began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran. In the 40 days before the April 8 ceasefire, Iran fired 650 missiles at Israel, most of them carrying cluster munitions.
