US-Israel Strikes on Iran May Resume Next Week as Trump Weighs Options

Tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran have escalated sharply, with reports indicating that joint military operations against the Islamic Republic could restart as early as next week. US President Donald Trump is expected to make a key decision on possible action within the next 24 hours, according to Israeli media assessments.

Officials in the region are bracing for renewed hostilities following a fragile Pakistani-brokered ceasefire established in early April. A New York Times report on Friday, citing two anonymous Middle East officials, described "intense preparations" by the US and Israel — the most significant since the truce took hold.

Preparations Underway

Israeli Channel 12 reported that a senior official indicated Israel is readying for a conflict that could extend from several days to several weeks. “The resumption of the war is near, and we are preparing for several days to several weeks of fighting,” the official was quoted as saying.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had earlier told lawmakers that Washington maintains plans to escalate if necessary, including options to shift assets or retrograde forces. These developments come after President Trump’s recent trip to China, where discussions reportedly touched on keeping the Strait of Hormuz open.

Cyber Suspicions Add to Tensions

Compounding the military concerns, US officials suspect Iranian-linked hackers of breaching systems monitoring fuel levels in storage tanks at gas stations across multiple states. According to CNN, the intrusions targeted automatic tank gauge (ATG) systems, many of which were online and lacked basic password protection.

The hackers reportedly altered display readings in some cases but did not affect actual fuel levels or cause physical damage. The incidents have raised alarms about vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure, though no immediate disruptions to fuel supply have been reported.

Ground Realities and Humanitarian Strain

Inside Iran, the prolonged conflict has taken a visible toll. Reports from state media highlight shortages of essential medicines, including antibiotics and fertility drugs like estradiol valerate, with black-market prices surging dramatically. Patients and pharmacies are struggling amid supply chain disruptions caused by the fighting and sanctions.

Iranian officials, meanwhile, have signalled a willingness to negotiate but firmly rejected any notion of unconditional surrender. Elyas Hazrati, head of the government’s Information Council, said restrictions on internet access would be lifted gradually, while President Masoud Pezeshkian thanked Pope Leo for what he described as a principled stance on the war.

Diplomatic and Regional Ripples

The situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint. Iran’s UN ambassador linked any resolution of the crisis to an end to attacks and the lifting of what Tehran calls a maritime blockade. China has criticised a US-backed resolution on the strait, calling its content and timing unhelpful.

On the diplomatic front, FIFA is set to meet Iranian football officials in Istanbul to discuss Iran’s participation in the upcoming World Cup in the United States, which has been cast into doubt by the conflict. Separately, Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend their ceasefire by 45 days following talks in Washington.

Trump’s Stance and Domestic Echoes

President Trump has projected confidence in US achievements, recently claiming a “complete military victory” in remarks that led to a heated exchange with a New York Times journalist, whom he accused of spreading “treasonous” reporting. He has also announced the elimination of a senior ISIS figure in a joint US-Nigerian operation.

US authorities have scored successes against Iran-linked networks, including the arrest of an Iraqi national tied to Kataib Hezbollah on terrorism charges.

As the 24-hour window for Trump’s decision approaches, analysts warn that the current stalemate remains unstable. Any resumption of strikes could have far-reaching consequences for energy markets, regional security, and global diplomacy. Officials on all sides continue weighing military options against the possibility of renewed talks.

Local reactions in affected areas of West Asia remain tense, with reports of sporadic incidents in Gaza, the West Bank, and southern Lebanon persisting despite truce efforts. The coming days are expected to clarify whether diplomacy can still avert a return to open conflict.