Israel was on heightened alert, ramping up preparations for a possible return to fighting with Iran, amid indications that US President Donald Trump may be nearing a decision on renewed military action, Israeli television reported Thursday.

The report came as Trump was briefed at the White House on military options by US Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper, while Israeli officials held a series of intensive consultations amid what they see as growing momentum toward a decision in Washington.

According to Channel 12, Israeli officials were bracing for the possibility that negotiations between the US and Iran could collapse as early as the start of next week. The report cited cabinet ministers briefed in recent days as assessing that the US may need to “give a push” to its pressure campaign in the Strait of Hormuz through military strikes on Iranian gas and energy facilities, as well as government infrastructure.

As part of the buildup, Israel and the US were also reportedly working to project a credible naval threat against Iran.

Ahead of Trump’s briefing with Cooper, a US official told Reuters that the US president would updated about plans for a series of fresh military strikes to compel Iran to negotiate an end to the conflict.

The Axios news site said another plan supposed to be shared with Trump during the briefing involved using ground forces to take over part of the strait to reopen it to commercial shipping. Trump is also considering extending the US blockade or declaring a unilateral victory, officials have said.

Amid the preparations for a potential resumption of hostilities, Bloomberg reported Thursday that CENTCOM has requested the long-delayed Dark Eagle hypersonic missile be sent to the Middle East for........

© The Times of Israel