Israeli officials reportedly expected imminent strike on Iran, surprised by sudden US delay

Israeli officials believed that an attack on Iran would begin within hours on Tuesday night and were surprised to receive notice of a delay from the United States, according to a Kan News report.

Israel is preparing for the possibility of a U.S. strike on Iran and there are ongoing discussions about it. Both Israel’s security establishment and the White House held talks yesterday.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he had decided to postpone the attack that was planned, according to him, for today (Tuesday). He added that the delay would be “two to three days” and that Israel had been informed. Today, Trump said he had been “an hour away from ordering a strike” and that he was willing to allow a few days for negotiations.

It was also reported last night that a U.S. security official told Kan News that joint U.S.-Israel preparations for a renewed campaign are completed, and that it appears Trump intends to make a decision “very soon.”

“The United States and Israel are fully coordinated – neither side will be surprised when a decision is made to resume the war,” the security official said.

According to Israeli sources, the security alert level is at its highest level since the ceasefire began last month, with defensive preparations also underway. This is due to concern that talk of war and the U.S. president’s statements could lead to a “miscalculation” by Iran and prompt it to launch a first strike.

In recent days, there has been highly unusual movement of U.S. transport aircraft to Israel and bases across the Middle East, indicating the transfer of additional munitions and interceptors to the region.