Two weeks have passed since the assassination of senior Hezbollah official Fuad Shukr, shortly before Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran. Despite expectations of retaliation from Iran and Hezbollah, there has been no significant action yet.
According to Ynet news reports, an Iranian official recently told the Financial Times that Iran has been conducting psychological warfare against Israel, creating uncertainty about the timing of any potential attack. The official suggested that there could be an attack soon or none at all, describing the uncertainty as more challenging than facing an attack directly.
Israeli assessments predict that any Iranian response will come from Iranian territory and that the regional coalition, which previously intercepted Iranian projectiles, is preparing for a possible new wave of drone and missile attacks from Iran and Hezbollah, targeting sensitive sites. Despite these high security tensions, Netanyahu has yet to convene the Security Cabinet or consult with Gallant, with whom he has had recent conflicts.
IDF Spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari assured that Israel is fully prepared to address any threats, with the Home Front Command's guidelines remaining unchanged unless updates are necessary. The IDF remains committed to ensuring the safety of northern residents.
In response to the escalating situation, the U.S. is enhancing its military presence in the region with the imminent arrival of the Lincoln aircraft carrier, joining the Roosevelt in the Persian Gulf. Officials are unsure how long the two carriers will operate together, as the Lincoln is currently in the South China Sea and expected to reach the region in about two weeks.
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer have expressed concern over the heightened tensions and called for de-escalation and restraint from Iran and its allies to avoid further destabilizing the region and jeopardizing potential ceasefire and hostage release agreements.