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Israel Today: Ongoing War Report - Update from 2026-02-18 at 15:03
Published 1 week, 4 days ago
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HEADLINES
Israel-US Eye Iran Strike Amid Diplomatic Push
Graham Saudi Regression Hits Abraham Accords
Lebanon Israel Civil Panel Sparks Hope
The time is now 3:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
In the conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, a range of voices map potential paths in a tense regional moment. Former Israeli Navy chief V.-Adm. (Reserve) Eliezer Marom said the United States is not aiming to topple Iran’s regime, but to weaken the Islamic Regime through airstrikes. He stressed Israel’s core interest is to hit Iran’s ballistic missiles, describing them as a strategic threat and noting lessons from past campaigns that show how dangerous such capabilities can be if left unchecked. Marom outlined two possible next steps: either low‑level talks in which the United States still believes an agreement could be reached, or a recognition that negotiations have collapsed and the United States is preparing for future steps that would likely include an attack. He also suggested that even if a future American administration chooses not to strike, Israel could be compelled to act if threats persist.
The White House has signaled that Washington views a strike on Iran as one option among many, while urging Tehran to pursue a deal to avert conflict. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavittsaid Tehran would be wise to reach an agreement to avoid any conflict. In parallel, US military movements have intensified in recent days, with independent trackers observing dozens of fighters jets—including F-16s, F-22s, and F-35s—being moved toward the Middle East in a matter of hours as part of a broader buildup near Iran. Axios reported that senior officials have argued the United States is closer to possible conflict than many Europeans and Americans realize, a view echoed by former IDF intelligence chief Amos Yadlin, who warned that the situation is precarious and that travel for US and allied personnel could become riskier as negotiations unfold. The overall posture underscores a moment when a large‑scale campaign could begin if diplomacy collapses or strategic calculations shift.
A briefing from the administration reiterated that diplomacy remains the first option. The President has consistently signaled that diplomacy is his first course of action, signaling that Iran would be wise to make a deal. The message from the President’s team framed military action as a last resort guided by what is in the United States’ best interests, emphasizing that any decision would be grounded in national security considerations.
Hebrew-language reporting circulating in the same vein notes heightened attention to potential military moves and war readiness, including discussions about Iran’s maritime moves and how a confrontation might unfold. The coverage points to comments tied to former naval leadership and to the broader assessment of threats posed by Iran at sea, reflecting a persistent undercurrent of concern about escalation.
A separate Hebrew report quotes Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi, portraying Tehran as prepared to respond forcefully to perceived arrogance from adversaries and signaling a firm posture amid rising tensions. The piece frames Iran as signaling it will not back down in the face of Western pressure, a dynamic that feeds into the broader sense of strategic risk as conflict debates persist.
In the US Policy Concerning Israel, the pathway ahead is contested and fluid, with lawmakers and officials weighing alliances, regional rivalries, and the ever-present possibility of a security crisis that could redraw timelines for diplomacy, deterrence, and potential action in the region.
In the US Policy Concerning Israel, Senator Lindsey Graham voiced strong disappointment with Saudi Arabia, saying the country is regressing after years of advocacy for closer ties and for joining the Ab
Israel-US Eye Iran Strike Amid Diplomatic Push
Graham Saudi Regression Hits Abraham Accords
Lebanon Israel Civil Panel Sparks Hope
The time is now 3:02 PM in New York, I'm Noa Levi and this is the latest Israel Today: Ongoing War Report.
In the conflict with Iran and its Regional Proxies, a range of voices map potential paths in a tense regional moment. Former Israeli Navy chief V.-Adm. (Reserve) Eliezer Marom said the United States is not aiming to topple Iran’s regime, but to weaken the Islamic Regime through airstrikes. He stressed Israel’s core interest is to hit Iran’s ballistic missiles, describing them as a strategic threat and noting lessons from past campaigns that show how dangerous such capabilities can be if left unchecked. Marom outlined two possible next steps: either low‑level talks in which the United States still believes an agreement could be reached, or a recognition that negotiations have collapsed and the United States is preparing for future steps that would likely include an attack. He also suggested that even if a future American administration chooses not to strike, Israel could be compelled to act if threats persist.
The White House has signaled that Washington views a strike on Iran as one option among many, while urging Tehran to pursue a deal to avert conflict. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavittsaid Tehran would be wise to reach an agreement to avoid any conflict. In parallel, US military movements have intensified in recent days, with independent trackers observing dozens of fighters jets—including F-16s, F-22s, and F-35s—being moved toward the Middle East in a matter of hours as part of a broader buildup near Iran. Axios reported that senior officials have argued the United States is closer to possible conflict than many Europeans and Americans realize, a view echoed by former IDF intelligence chief Amos Yadlin, who warned that the situation is precarious and that travel for US and allied personnel could become riskier as negotiations unfold. The overall posture underscores a moment when a large‑scale campaign could begin if diplomacy collapses or strategic calculations shift.
A briefing from the administration reiterated that diplomacy remains the first option. The President has consistently signaled that diplomacy is his first course of action, signaling that Iran would be wise to make a deal. The message from the President’s team framed military action as a last resort guided by what is in the United States’ best interests, emphasizing that any decision would be grounded in national security considerations.
Hebrew-language reporting circulating in the same vein notes heightened attention to potential military moves and war readiness, including discussions about Iran’s maritime moves and how a confrontation might unfold. The coverage points to comments tied to former naval leadership and to the broader assessment of threats posed by Iran at sea, reflecting a persistent undercurrent of concern about escalation.
A separate Hebrew report quotes Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi, portraying Tehran as prepared to respond forcefully to perceived arrogance from adversaries and signaling a firm posture amid rising tensions. The piece frames Iran as signaling it will not back down in the face of Western pressure, a dynamic that feeds into the broader sense of strategic risk as conflict debates persist.
In the US Policy Concerning Israel, the pathway ahead is contested and fluid, with lawmakers and officials weighing alliances, regional rivalries, and the ever-present possibility of a security crisis that could redraw timelines for diplomacy, deterrence, and potential action in the region.
In the US Policy Concerning Israel, Senator Lindsey Graham voiced strong disappointment with Saudi Arabia, saying the country is regressing after years of advocacy for closer ties and for joining the Ab