Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pressing for a new round of military strikes against Iran, with Israeli officials reportedly presenting Washington with an updated list of potential targets based on fresh intelligence.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing a person familiar with Netanyahu’s thinking, that the Israeli leader is seeking to restart military operations inside Iran amid growing concerns over Tehran’s efforts to rebuild its military capabilities.
According to the report, Israel’s military has been revising its target list over fears that Iran is rapidly restoring infrastructure and rebuilding its missile and drone programmes following previous US-Israeli attacks.
Israeli officials presented US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth with potential strike targets during a meeting on Monday at an Israeli airbase, the newspaper reported, citing the same source.
The targets were reportedly identified using newly gathered intelligence, although it remains unclear whether Washington has agreed to support or participate in another military offensive.
The Israeli military has maintained a heightened state of alert for several weeks, while a substantial number of American military personnel remain deployed in Israel.
US aerial refuelling aircraft are also stationed at Israel’s main international airport and military airbases in the south, according to the report.
The developments come amid renewed concerns that another confrontation involving Israel, Iran and the United States could trigger a wider regional conflict.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened additional military action against Tehran but has previously stepped back from escalation while pursuing a negotiated agreement, most recently in late July.
The latest reports also come as Netanyahu faces a closely contested Israeli parliamentary election scheduled for October 27, raising questions about the timing and political implications of any renewed military campaign.
Hegseth, speaking on Tuesday following his return from the Middle East, reiterated Washington’s position that Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons.
He warned that the US military was prepared to take further action if diplomatic efforts failed and Trump authorised additional measures.
Separately, the Financial Times reported that Netanyahu had instructed Israeli military officials to prepare a major offensive against Iran earlier this month, but the operation did not proceed amid opposition from Trump ahead of the November 3 US midterm elections.
Neither Washington nor Israel has publicly confirmed a decision to launch another round of strikes.
The renewed military preparations underscore the continuing threat of escalation as diplomatic efforts to prevent another confrontation with Tehran remain uncertain.
