Israel in race to bomb Iran targets amid fears Trump may abruptly end war: NYT

Israel is racing to strike as many high-priority targets in Iran as possible, driven by concerns that US President Donald Trump could suddenly move to end the war, according to a report by The New York Times.

Citing senior Israeli officials and people briefed on internal discussions, the report said the push reflects urgency within Israel’s leadership to maximise military gains before any potential diplomatic shift.

Israel is “working to urgently hit as many high-priority targets in Iran as it can,” the report said, amid fears Trump could “end the war suddenly.”

According to The New York Times, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday instructed the military to intensify operations and “take out as much of Iran’s industry as possible” within 48 hours.

The order followed Israel’s access to a US-drafted 15-point proposal aimed at ending the conflict — a plan that has raised alarm in Tel Aviv.

Israeli officials believe the proposal does not adequately address core security concerns, particularly Iran’s nuclear programme and ballistic missile capabilities.

The urgency, including what officials described as a tight deadline, stems from a belief within Israel’s government that Trump could announce peace talks at any moment. The report notes that Israeli leaders are wary of a deal being finalised before their key war objectives are achieved.

Israel is particularly focused on three goals: eliminating Iran’s missile threat, ensuring Tehran cannot develop nuclear weapons, and creating conditions for internal political pressure within Iran. “If you do not obtain the three objectives, you will not be able to end the war,” Boaz Bismuth, a senior lawmaker from Netanyahu’s party, said in remarks cited in the report.

Though described as broad and still evolving, the US proposal was detailed enough to unsettle Israeli leadership, according to officials cited by The New York Times.

The plan, which has not been publicly confirmed by the Trump administration, is believed to have been shared with Iran. Israeli officials fear it may fall short of fully dismantling Iran’s military capabilities, potentially leaving long-term threats intact.

NETANYAHU SAYS WIDER CAMPAIGN ONGOING, HEZBOLLAH STILL A PRIORITY

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that the broader campaign linked to Iran remains ongoing. Speaking to mayors and local officials from northern border communities, Netanyahu stressed that “the dismantling of Hezbollah remains a top priority,” tying the fight against the group to Israel’s wider conflict with Iran.

“We are fully resolved to do everything necessary to fundamentally change the situation in Lebanon,” he said. Netanyahu said Israel is expanding its military presence in what he described as a “buffer zone” in southern Lebanon, aimed at pushing Hezbollah forces farther from the border and protecting Israeli communities.

“We have created a genuine security buffer that prevents any ground incursion into the Galilee and our northern border,” he said. “In essence, we are creating a broader safety belt.”

He added that Israel has neutralised “most of Hezbollah’s missile threat,” but acknowledged that “there is still work to do.” Netanyahu also said Israeli forces have eliminated the threat of a Hezbollah ground invasion, including attempts by elite Radwan fighters to infiltrate Israeli territory.

“We have eliminated that threat,” he said. “It no longer exists.”

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