PM Netanyahu discusses new Iran missile threat amid doubt that Trump will approve military strikes

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior security officials have recently held consultations regarding the Iranian threat, amid reports of accelerated efforts to rehabilitate Iran’s ballistic missile program, Kan News reported on Sunday evening.

The issue is expected to be raised during Netanyahu’s upcoming meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Israeli officials are expressing doubt that Trump would give the green light to an aerial strike that could lead to broad-scale escalation, even if justified by Iran’s missile program rehabilitation.

In Jerusalem, there is hope that a NBC report on possible operational plans being considered by Israel will help clarify the issue for the Americans ahead of the Netanyahu–Trump meeting.

The prime minister is scheduled to meet the U.S. president on December 29 at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, where he is expected to argue that developments in Tehran endanger not only Israel but also American and regional interests.

According to the report, officials in Jerusalem believe Iran is rebuilding production capabilities damaged in previous strikes and is also working to restore its air defense systems—an assessment defined as a more immediate threat than the nuclear issue.

Senior Israeli officials told Kan News on Sunday evening that Iran appears to be making intensive efforts to rehabilitate parts of the systems that were severely damaged during Operation “Rising Lion” about six months ago, particularly in the fields of ballistic missiles and air defense.

At the same time, they noted that Israel assesses the actual figures to be significantly lower than those reported in foreign media.

The possibility of escalation involving Iran has resurfaced in part due to pressure on Tehran, and is being used in rhetoric against Israel and the United States for domestic purposes.

These pressures on the Iranian regime include a sharp decline in the value of the local currency, rising prices—especially fuel—and a severe water crisis. Israel is closely monitoring developments in Iran in coordination with the United States.