Israel ready to resume intense combat against Iran: Army chief
Jerusalem, May 25
The Israeli military is prepared to resume combat operations against Iran, the army chief said, amid reported progress in US-Iran talks.
Chief of the General Staff Eyal Zamir made the remarks on Sunday during a situational assessment at the military's Northern Command, the military said in a statement.
Zamir said the Israeli military "is prepared to resume intense combat operations immediately" and to further weaken Iran's capabilities, adding, "We will maintain readiness and operational flexibility for as long as required."
The remarks came as the United States and Iran reported progress in talks aimed at extending a ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, though disagreements remained over Tehran's nuclear program, Xinhua news agency reported.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet was expected to convene on Sunday evening amid the developments.
Zamir also said Israeli forces were continuing to strike Hezbollah "across all dimensions" in Lebanon.
A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was announced in April, but Israel has not withdrawn its forces from southern Lebanon and continues to carry out daily strikes, saying it targets Hezbollah sites and fighters.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu said on Sunday that he and US President Donald Trump agreed on eliminating nuclear danger from Iran for any final agreement.
"I spoke last night with President Trump about the memorandum of understanding to reopen the Straits of Hormuz and the upcoming negotiations toward a final agreement on Iran's nuclear program," Netanyahu said on social media platform X.
He expressed his appreciation to President Trump for his "unwavering commitment" to Israel's security, including during Operation Roaring Lion and Epic Fury, when American and Israeli forces fought shoulder to shoulder against the Iranian threat.
"President Trump and I agreed that any final agreement with Iran must eliminate the nuclear danger. That means dismantling Iran's nuclear enrichment sites and removing its enriched nuclear material from its territory," Netanyahu highlighted.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Another day, another war threat in the Middle East. India needs to be careful—our oil imports and millions of diaspora are at stake. Why can't these countries sit and talk like adults? 😤
From an Indian perspective, the Strait of Hormuz reopening is critical for our energy imports. But Netanyahu's demand to dismantle Iran's entire nuclear infrastructure seems unrealistic. Diplomacy needs give-and-take, not ultimatums. Let's hope cooler heads prevail.
As an Indian, I worry about the spillover effects. If Israel and Iran go to war, our region will feel the heat—higher fuel prices, refugee crises, and terrorism spikes. We need to push for de-escalation, not just watch from the sidelines. 🙏
Israeli army chief's statement shows they are ready for any scenario. But the 'intense combat' rhetoric is worrying. India has maintained good relations with both Israel and Iran—we should leverage that to mediate, not pick sides. War benefits no one. 🤝
Netanyahu's demand to dismantle enrichment sites is a non-starter for Iran. The US should focus on realistic agreements rather than maximalist positions. India's balanced approach—engaging both sides—is a model the West could learn from. Just saying. 🤷♀️
A We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.