Officials and analysts warn that a new outbreak of war between Israel and Iran may be inevitable, as Israel signals it sees no reason to stop its campaign and Iran accelerates preparations for “the next round.”
A recent report by The New York Times cites multiple regional officials and analysts saying that hostilities between the two countries are poised to resume. One source told the publication that “Israel feels the job is unfinished and sees no reason not to resume the conflict, so Iran is doubling down preparedness for the next round.”
Israel’s position
Observers note that Israel appears to view its military campaign — including the June 2025 conflict in which US-backed strikes damaged Iran’s enrichment facilities — as having halted Iran but not eliminated the threat. Israeli officials reportedly believe that Iran still maintains a stockpile of enriched uranium and missile capability, and that further action may be required.
Iran’s response and build-up
Meanwhile, Iran is reportedly moving to prepare for a future confrontation. Tehran is accelerating missile production and other military preparations, with some sources describing missile factories “working around the clock.” Iranian officials express confidence that another round of escalation is inevitable and are emphasizing deterrence as their main strategy.
Nuclear and diplomatic context
The broader backdrop remains the status of Iran’s nuclear enrichment program and the expiry of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which officially ended last month. US President Donald Trump has claimed that American strikes during the June war “obliterated” Iran’s enrichment facilities. However, various intelligence assessments and media reports suggest the setback may have been less severe than claimed, with Iran capable of rebuilding within months.
Risks and implications
Analysts warn that the combination of Iran’s military build-up, Israel’s readiness to resume strikes, and the absence of diplomatic restraint creates a highly volatile environment. As regional tensions rise and nuclear oversight weakens, a renewed confrontation between Israel and Iran may be only a matter of time.
Image: Jalaa MAREY / AFP
