Israeli outlets report Washington preparing unprecedented demands, with airstrikes "on the table" and former IDF intelligence chief revealing near-strikes in recent weeks
Israeli media are closely tracking what appears to be a critical juncture in US-Iran relations, with reports suggesting the Trump administration is preparing to meet Iranian requests for negotiations with sweeping preconditions—while keeping military options firmly on the table.
US Sets Strict Terms for Any Dialogue
According to Israel Hayom, the United States is expected to respond to Iran's overture for talks by demanding an immediate end to the use of live fire against protesters, the release of detainees, the handover of enriched uranium, the termination of Tehran's long-range missile program, and an end to its support for proxy terrorist organizations.
A diplomatic source told Israel Hayom that the Iranian request was conveyed through both Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to US envoy Steve Witkoff and via Oman, which mediated previous rounds of negotiations. Crucially, the source noted that internal US discussions now focus on how to intervene in Iran—not whether to do so.
"The range of options is broad," the source said, with initial steps expected to be economic, including "far more sweeping sanctions" and efforts to nearly eliminate Iran's oil exports and refined fuel imports. A decision on the US response is expected within 48 hours—by Tuesday, Israel Hayom reported.
Trump Convenes Top Officials; Airstrikes Not Ruled Out
The Jerusalem Post reported that President Donald Trump is expected to convene senior administration officials on Tuesday to discuss possible courses of action regarding Iran. Several US officials described the upcoming meeting as "significant."
"Trump wants to see final plans and proposals on what can be done to help the protesters," one official told The Jerusalem Post.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed to Fox News that "airstrikes are one option," though she emphasized that "the president always prefers diplomacy." She added that "the messages the Iranian regime sends us privately are different from those it delivers publicly."
The prevailing assessment among US, Israeli, and European officials, according to The Jerusalem Post, is that Trump has decided to assist the protesters. The remaining questions are timing and method—and "not necessarily kinetic (military)" action, one official noted.
Israel Came Close to Striking Iran Twice
In a striking revelation, former Military Intelligence Directorate chief Tamir Hayman told 103FM, as reported by The Jerusalem Post, that Israel came close to striking Iran twice in recent weeks due to mutual miscalculations and fears of a surprise Israeli operation.
Hayman said these near-escalations created a "coordination imperative" between Jerusalem and Washington, ultimately strengthening military cooperation between the IDF and US forces.
He described an American influence campaign already underway, pointing to a wave of unexplained reports, rumors, and videos emerging from Iran as possible evidence of cyber-based influence operations combined with local disruption efforts.
"There is no zero action at the moment," Hayman said, adding that future steps could range from information warfare to cyberattacks, special operations, or even open war, depending on developments.
Regime Under Pressure; Asylum Options Explored
Israeli diplomatic sources paint a picture of a regime in crisis. A source told Israel Hayom that "there are already thousands of civilian deaths and thousands more detainees, but the protests are not stopping." While the threat to the regime is tangible, an immediate collapse is not expected.
More ominously, the source added that senior regime figures are already exploring political asylum in countries such as Russia and Qatar. "Even if it survives, it will be weakened, and the sanctions expected to be imposed on it will reduce its ability to operate, both domestically in Iran and in its ties with the terrorist organizations it supports."
The Jerusalem Post reported that the prevailing assessment is that the Iranian regime is attempting to crush protest activity within the next 24 to 48 hours.
Leadership Scenarios: From Cautious Khamenei to IRGC Dictatorship
Hayman outlined several possible scenarios for Iran's future, The Jerusalem Post reported. While acknowledging that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's traditionally cautious leadership style makes a full-scale strike on Israel unlikely, he warned that should a more daring IRGC-backed leader emerge, "the strategic calculus could change."
Plausible scenarios, he said, include an IRGC-led military dictatorship with a temporary leader, or internal reforms aimed at reasserting control. The regime, he noted, is portraying internal upheaval as being driven by the US and Israel to mobilize Iranians against outside threats.
Regarding Tehran's military capabilities, Hayman said Iran has fully restored its missile production lines since the Israel-Iran war but had not yet upgraded them as planned, and is now seeking Chinese assistance to expand production capacity.
Israel Watches, Waits on Washington
The Jerusalem Post reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security discussion on the Iranian issue on Monday. However, there is concern in Israel about the possibility of dialogue between the Trump administration and Tehran.
Publicly, Israel is refraining from commenting on developments and is "effectively leaving leadership on the issue to the Trump administration," according to The Jerusalem Post. The protests—and potential US support for them—are seen in Jerusalem as an opportunity that could advance the overthrow of the Islamic regime.
Hayman cautioned against a new war with Iran at this time, noting that such conflicts are costly and displace thousands of Israelis. He framed the strategic choice as either regime change or, if unavoidable, a limited agreement to restrict Iran's capabilities—"though right now, an agreement is a mistake," he said.
Tehran's Contradictory Messages
Despite the turmoil, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced Monday that the situation is "under total control," as reported by The Jerusalem Post. This stands in stark contrast to Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf's acknowledgment that the Islamic Republic was "fighting its enemies on four fronts"—economic, cognitive, military, and anti-terrorism.
According to Tasnim, Ghalibaf accused the US and Israel of sowing disorder in response to Israel's losses in the June Israel-Iran war.
Meanwhile, videos obtained by Iran International from Tehran showed protesters at a burial chanting "Death to Khamenei" and "Fear the values, we are all united"—a sign that dissent continues despite the regime's crackdown.
Photo: Israel Hayom