American forces hit Iran again on Monday, marking 10 consecutive nights of escalating back-and-forth attacks — as well as the 34th day of the 60-day ceasefire the two sides signed in June.

The US Central Command continues to focus its efforts on Iranian military command centers, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defense systems.

Iran, meanwhile, keeps firing missiles and drones at Arab countries, saying it is targeting US assets in the region.

Though the fighting remains somewhat limited for now, there is always the possibility of further escalation. Two US soldiers were killed in an Iranian attack in Jordan over the weekend, while another died in Iraq.

To the surprise of some, Israel has sat on the sidelines for this round of fighting. Iran has attacked next door in Jordan, but so far hasn’t fired on the Jewish state.

There is no guarantee that will remain the case. In the security meeting convened by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday night, defense officials told the forum that there is an active debate in Tehran over whether to bring Israel into the line of fire.

But for now, Israel is watching closely from the sidelines.

“Israel has no interest in joining the contained confrontation between Iran and the United States — the current situation is the best one for us,” argued Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Smotrich is absolutely correct. After being stunned by an inconceivably bad MOU signed by US President Donald Trump on June 17, things are starting to move in a more advantageous direction for Israel.

Still, the Iranian threat is not going to be solved if the current situation persists.

To Iran’s new leadership, there is one result from its recent — and in its eyes, victorious — fight against the US and Israel that stands out above all others — control over the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran reads the MOU as giving it authority to control........

© The Times of Israel