Israel Braces for War: 'Khamenei Will Reject Any Compromise' as Iran Tightens Hormuz Grip

Israeli defense officials are operating under a stark assessment: even if diplomatic progress emerges between Washington and Tehran, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei will ultimately reject any compromise that requires Iranian concessions. This evaluation comes as Arabic media outlets reported Tuesday evening that serious efforts are underway to finalize a draft agreement between Iran and the United States, with Pakistan's army commander potentially traveling to Tehran on Thursday to announce the completion of preliminary terms.

According to Al Arabiya network, citing informed sources, the next round of negotiations is scheduled to take place in Islamabad following the conclusion of the Hajj pilgrimage. Earlier in the day, Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived in Tehran for consultations with Iranian officials, as confirmed by Iran's state news agency IRNA. The i24 network reported that while there has been progress toward formulating a "memorandum of understanding and principles," significant gaps remain between the parties.

The Israeli assessment reflects deep skepticism about Iran's willingness to make meaningful concessions, particularly under Khamenei's leadership. Military coordination with American forces continues unabated, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintaining direct communication with President Donald Trump. Senior Israeli Defense Forces commanders are engaged in ongoing dialogue with United States Central Command, preparing for the possibility that diplomatic efforts will collapse and military action will become necessary.

Trump addressed the Iranian situation during a late-night press conference, describing the Islamic Republic as "a defeated nation" while acknowledging ongoing negotiations. "We are dealing with some people, and I really have to say, we are dealing with very good people. We are dealing with people who I think are more reasonable than those who are no longer with us," the president stated. "We are dealing with people who have talent, and intelligence, and we are quite pleased with them."

Trump Maintains Pressure on Sanctions

Despite the diplomatic overtures, Trump clarified that economic pressure will continue until a final agreement is reached. "We hope those people will close a deal that will be great for everyone, but I don't know," he stated. "I will not give any sanctions relief on oil until they sign the agreement. Let them sign the agreement." The president explained his rationale for maintaining maximum pressure: "I had no choice, because they were about to obtain nuclear weapons. We will not allow them to have nuclear weapons. This will end soon, one way or another."

Regarding the economic implications of the ongoing crisis, Trump projected optimism about global energy markets. "Oil prices are going to fall. There is so much, we have 1,600 ships loaded with oil on the street that are expected to leave very soon," he noted, adding: "The naval blockade has been impenetrable. Not a single ship has passed the blockade. Thirty-seven tried."

Meanwhile, in the strait of Hormuz, vessels transiting the strait now face inspections by armed Revolutionary Guard patrol boats, route restrictions, convoy delays, and potential holdups during passage through the narrow waterway. The Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that the United States has transmitted a new proposal to Iran following Tehran's submission of a fourteen-point response three days earlier. Iran is currently reviewing the American offer but has not yet provided a formal reply. A Pakistani mediator is attempting to bridge the remaining gaps, though no final agreement has been reached.

Netanyahu Receives Trump's Backing

In a separate portion of his remarks, Trump offered strong support for the Israeli prime minister. "Netanyahu is a great guy, he will do whatever I tell him to do. Don't forget he is a prime minister during wartime and I think he is not being treated well," Trump stated. "I have 99 percent support in Israel. I could run for prime minister. After I finish I'll move to Israel and run for prime minister."

The president's comments came as Israeli military forces maintain maximum readiness for potential operations against Iranian targets. Earlier, Trump had stated he was giving negotiations "one chance" but emphasized he was not rushing toward any particular outcome. He noted that the Iranian population is experiencing anger due to deteriorating living conditions. "There is a lot of anger now in Iran because people are living so poorly," he observed, adding: "There is a lot of unrest that we have not seen before — and we will see what happens."

Israeli intelligence assessments suggest that despite public diplomatic posturing, Iran's Supreme Leader maintains ultimate authority over any final agreement and is unlikely to accept terms that require significant strategic concessions. This evaluation has prompted Israeli military planners to continue preparations for a potential strike campaign, coordinated closely with American forces, should diplomatic channels ultimately fail to produce a viable resolution to the nuclear standoff and maritime crisis.