Preparations for a possible renewed conflict with Iran are intensifying in Tel Aviv , according to an Israeli media report published Sunday, which said officials currently assess the chances of war resuming within days at "50 percent".
Estimates regarding a return to fighting currently stand at "50 percent positive and 50 percent negative", Israeli outlet Ynet reported, citing officials, with sources saying the ultimate decision rests with US President Donald Trump .
Authorities are preparing for renewed fighting "without any safety margin" in an effort to avoid being caught off guard, while the scope of any future confrontation remains impossible to predict, the report adds.
The report comes as Trump continues issuing threats toward Iran, warning that his patience is running out and that "the story is not over yet".
A week has passed since Trump described Tehran’s latest proposal as "unacceptable", though he has yet to make a final decision on resuming military action.
Growing frustration within the White House and deadlocked negotiations suggest Trump could ultimately authorise strikes against Iran, particularly after reportedly concluding that Tehran is unwilling to accept his conditions, Ynet said.
The comments come as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to hold a high-level security meeting on Sunday evening attended by a small number of ministers.
The developments also come after Trump posted an image on his Truth Social platform showing himself aboard a ship in rough seas alongside the phrase: "Calm before the storm".
Washington and Tel Aviv are already carrying out intensive military preparations for a possible return to war, according to Ynet , with high-level coordination taking place between the Israeli army, the Mossad, and US counterparts.
Sources cited by the outlet said the Israeli army was currently at "maximum readiness" for renewed fighting.
Despite this, officials reportedly believe Trump is unlikely to pursue the "maximum option" of attempting to topple the Iranian government, arguing he would be reluctant to take steps he avoided during the previous 42-day conflict.
"He is stuck," the officials reportedly said.
The same officials claimed Iran had restored part of its missile capabilities and remained unwilling to abandon its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief and financial incentives.
They added that Tehran had absorbed major blows without abandoning its ideological course, arguing that even the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei would not necessarily lead to regime collapse.
According to the report, officials believe Trump would more likely opt for limited strikes targeting Iranian energy infrastructure and bridges, which US officials reportedly believe could inflict significant damage.
Trump could also order a ground operation despite fears over its complexity, the report added.
Possible scenarios discussed by officials included operations to seize underground enriched uranium stockpiles or occupy an offshore Iranian oil island.
Another possibility raised in the report was the expansion of "Project Freedom", an operation linked to freeing ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.
The report said maintaining, and potentially tightening, the blockade around the strategic waterway remained a constant objective to increase economic pressure on Iran.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu has held a series of security consultations in recent days focused on preparations for renewed conflict, while avoiding convening the full security cabinet and instead limiting discussions to a smaller ministerial forum.
Officials also reportedly believe Tehran may attempt to prolong tensions until after the World Cup begins on 11 June in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
While Trump has publicly denied that domestic political pressure over the economic consequences of war is influencing his calculations, a White House official told Ynet that Republicans were concerned a prolonged conflict could damage their chances of retaining control of Congress in November’s midterm elections.