US rift, Israel on alert, orders given to its armed forces to increase their readiness for potential strikes against Iran, Netanyahu plans unilateral attack against Iran
With the Trump administration appearing divided regarding how the war with Iran should end, at a time when reports from American media state that Vice President J.D. Vance is reportedly ready for a personal meeting with Mohsen Rezaei, the secretary of Iran's Security Council in Qatar, Iran is demonstrating its power. On the one hand, it maintains that its missile program, despite sanctions and threats, is continuing normally, with Iranian officials pointing out that there is no safe haven anywhere for Americans and their allies since Iranian missiles can reach everywhere in Europe and western Asia, and on the other hand, it categorically states that the West must forget the Strait of Hormuz, at least regarding the regime that existed before the attack launched by the US and Israel. At the same time, alarm prevails in Israel with reports indicating that the army has been put on full readiness and that two military plans have been drawn up in case tension escalates once again in the Middle East.
Trump: We did not start the war
US President Donald Trump made new statements, maintaining that the United States did not start the war against Iran. "America did not start a war against Iran. Iran has been at war with America since 1979. This issue should have been dealt with a long time ago," stated Trump, who claimed that the US has already prevailed in the conflict, emphasizing however that they are pursuing a total victory. "We won. We want to ensure that we achieve a complete victory and not a 93% victory," stated the American president. As he argued, the destructions caused by the US in Iran are so extensive that it will take decades to restore them. "It will take 25 years for Iran to rebuild what we have destroyed. I hope we do not have to destroy an even greater part of this country," maintained Trump.
Wall Street Journal: Vance examines private meeting with Rezaei in Qatar
At the same time, US Vice President JD Vance is examining the possibility of direct talks with Iran's security chief, Mohsen Rezaei. According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, the possibility of a face-to-face meeting is on the table, with Doha in Qatar being examined as a potential venue. The report states that Vance requested the meeting through a letter sent to Rezaei in October. Rezaei confirmed that he received the letter, but refused to disclose its content.
Division in the Trump administration
These moves show that the Trump administration appears to be divided regarding the manner of ending the war against Iran, as high-ranking officials support different approaches, at a time when Washington is weighing the possibility of further military action versus the diplomatic path. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the American economic pressure campaign is proving so effective that further large-scale military operations are unnecessary, while Vice President JD Vance reportedly leans in favor of reaching an agreement through negotiations with Tehran. Trump, on his part, has hinted that the resumption of military strikes is unlikely, while maintaining the naval blockade of Iranian ports. According to Axios, his administration has concluded on a strategy of intensifying economic pressure while avoiding a return to a full-scale war.
Show of force by Iran: Our missile program is unstoppable
On its part, Iran is maintaining a very tough stance and is demonstrating its power. Tehran has already rejected the possibility of transferring its enriched uranium abroad and insists that Washington must satisfy its demands, the 7 conditions it has set, before the resumption of negotiations, despite ongoing Qatari mediation efforts. At the same time, Ahmad Vahidi, the chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, maintained that the country will continue efforts to develop its missile program despite threats and sanctions. In a message, Vahidi paid tribute to Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam, who is considered the founder of Iran's ballistic missile program. "Today, with the same spirit, you are strengthening the country's power in the depths of mountains and deep underground. The enemy must know that the path charted by martyr Tehrani Moghaddam cannot be stopped by threats or sanctions. This path continues with blood and faith," said Vahidi.
Rezaei (Secretary of Iran Security Council): No safe haven in Europe and western Asia
In a post, Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, wrote: "If the US launches a new war against Iran, every military base that gets involved in the attack from Western Asia to Europe will be a legitimate target for Iran's lethal strikes." "No distance offers safety, no safe haven, no immunity," characteristically stated Rezaei.
Kioumars Heydari (Iran army): We will crush any location used for attack against us
Brigadier General Kioumars Heydari, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran, stated that any location, anywhere in the world, from which hostile activity or an attack originates against the country, will face an overwhelming response. Heydari stated that the Armed Forces have drawn up a comprehensive and updated database of military targets after the lifting of geographical restrictions on potential retaliation operations, according to the instructions of Mojtaba Khamenei. He added that the list includes military installations and other locations both in the broader region and beyond, which could be used by the United States and the Israeli regime. Heydari underlined that the Armed Forces are fully prepared to respond to any new aggressive action, while emphasizing that Iran's response will extend to countries facilitating attacks against it, including those allowing hostile aircraft to use their territory or permitting the launch of missiles from their territory. As he stressed, these specific countries will be included in Iran's list of "legitimate targets".
"The missile city"
The commander referred to the presentation of an underground "missile city", pointing out that Iran has not yet revealed the full scope of its military capabilities, particularly those remaining hidden within the specific facility. "These strategic achievements constitute the country's greatest defense surprises," he stated, adding that if the enemy takes any reckless action, the world will witness the utilization of these secret capabilities against the attackers.
Ghalibaf (Iran): The Strait of Hormuz "will never return" to the pre-war regime
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of the Iranian Parliament and the country's chief negotiator, maintained that Tehran awaits an official US response to the seven conditions it has set for ending the war. Furthermore, speaking to Al Jazeera, he underlined that the Strait of Hormuz "will never return" to the regime that applied before the war of the US and Israel against Iran. Ghalibaf stated that Iran and Oman reached an understanding regarding the supervision of the strategically important sea lane, as part of Tehran's seven-point proposal to end the eight-month conflict. "There are no international waters there and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea does not apply to the Strait. The regulations applying within the Strait of Hormuz are determined by the legislation of the two coastal states bordering them," stressed Ghalibaf.
Ghalibaf (Iran): We are waiting for the Americans' response to the 7 conditions
Regarding negotiations with the US, he maintained that Tehran transmitted a clear response to the US via a Qatari mediator, which includes its seven conditions for conducting peace talks, adding that Iran awaits an official response. "The ball is now in the Americans' court," stated Ghalibaf. Iran's conditions, as presented by the chief negotiator, include the lifting of the naval blockade and sanctions imposed by the US, the unfreezing of frozen Iranian assets, the termination of hostilities on all fronts, and the explicit announcement of the end of the war. As he stated, these requests were included in the Islamabad memorandum of understanding signed in June, and their implementation constitutes a necessary prerequisite before the start of negotiations with the US. "If America limits itself to what has been agreed, without putting forward excessive demands or exhibiting behaviors cultivating distrust, then, of course, reaching an agreement is feasible," he stated. "What prevents reaching an agreement is our lack of trust toward the United States".
Netanyahu's order
Israel reportedly ordered its armed forces to increase their readiness for potential strikes against Iran. The Israeli Security Council, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, ordered the army to intensify preparations for an attack against Iran, as Israeli media reported on the night of Wednesday 11/11. "The instructions issued by the Security Council to the Israeli army could lead it to undertake actions capable of triggering a war," broadcast public broadcaster KAN. According to KAN, the instructions were made public after the leader of the Israeli opposition, Gadi Eisenkot, issued a statement calling on Netanyahu, who serves as acting prime minister, not to use the armed forces "without a direct and imminent threat" until the next government is formed. Eisenkot received the mandate last weekend from Israeli President Isaac Herzog to form a new government after Netanyahu's ruling coalition lost its parliamentary majority in the October elections. Netanyahu, facing the prospect of losing power if the opposition manages to form a government, insists that the war against Iran will continue until the government in Tehran collapses.
Alarm in Israel: 2 military scenarios ready
The Israeli army is preparing for two main scenarios of escalating tension with Iran while United States diplomatic efforts continue for reaching an agreement with Tehran. Reports indicate that Israeli defense officials estimate Donald Trump prefers to avoid a direct military confrontation with Iran and resolve differences through negotiations. However, military developments in the region and the possibility of mutual attacks have intensified Tel Aviv's security concerns. The Israeli army has reviewed its operational plans for two main scenarios of escalating conflict with Iran. The first scenario the Israeli army is preparing for foresees an extensive and fierce US military attack against Iran. According to this scenario, American forces will target Iran's national infrastructure and military installations, seeking to inflict severe blows, limit the duration of the conflict, and lead to the war's termination. The second scenario concerns the possibility of a surprise Iranian attack against American interests and military bases throughout Middle East. These attacks could also include Israeli army bases, particularly installations hosting American military personnel and aircraft.
Successive meetings
In this context, the chief of the General Staff of the Israeli armed forces, Eyal Zamir, along with senior officers, held a series of meetings over the past few days to evaluate the situation and review operational plans. Israel's military assessments cover a wide range of potential scenarios and ways of reacting so that the armed forces maintain operational readiness in case of a surprise Iranian attack. Military officials have also examined the possibility of other regional actors getting involved in the conflict, something that could arise from coordinated operations, misunderstandings, or flawed military calculations.
Israel: Trump prefers agreement over war
A report by the Jerusalem Post states that Israeli defense officials estimate Donald Trump wishes to avoid a military confrontation with Iran and end tensions through a diplomatic agreement. However, according to Israeli security assessments, Iranian officials interpret Washington's preference for diplomacy as a sign of weakness. Based on these assessments, Tehran considers the results of the US midterm elections on November 3 as a form of "political revenge" against the White House. Israeli officials also estimate that Iran will not rush to sign an agreement and will seek to prolong the negotiating process while maintaining its hardline positions.
Did Israel abandon the plan for a preemptive attack against Iran?
Furthermore, the Jerusalem Post refers to a meeting held on November 1, two days before the US midterm elections, during which senior Israeli security officials examined various options regarding Iran. One of the proposals put on the table was launching a preemptive Israeli attack against Iran, which the head of Mossad reportedly supported. However, Israeli security officials stated that this specific option was abandoned following evaluation. They also denied reports of intense disagreements and verbal altercations between senior officials during the meeting, maintaining that discussions took place in a professional climate and with mutual respect. According to these officials, the leakage of certain information from the meeting was done for political reasons.
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