On Sunday, social media users in Iran shared photos showing the raising of a huge banner in Tehran, specifically in Palestine Square, containing a map of what was described as potential targets in Tel Aviv.
The sign included a warning written in Hebrew saying: “In front of the missile barrage, this is a small area… You start, and we finish.” The appearance of this sign comes in the midst of escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, and Israel’s intervention by placing conditions on the American administration for fear of reaching a possible agreement with Iran that is not in line with its interests.
In this context, Israeli defense officials stated that they recently informed their American counterparts that the Iranian ballistic missile program represents an existential threat to Israel, stressing Tel Aviv’s readiness to act alone if the need arises. According to security sources, Israeli intentions to dismantle Iran’s missile capabilities and production infrastructure were expressed during the past weeks through high-level correspondence.
Military officials noted that these talks included presenting operational concepts aimed at weakening the program, including strikes on key manufacturing sites. One of the sources said: “We told the Americans that we would strike on our own if Iran crossed the red line that we set regarding ballistic missiles.”
The officials stressed that Israel maintains freedom of action and will not allow Iran to recover strategic weapons systems on a scale that threatens its existence. One defense official described the current situation as a “historic opportunity” to deliver a devastating blow to Iran’s missile infrastructure and neutralize existing threats to Israel and neighboring countries.
The Jerusalem Post quoted a defense official as saying that Israel presented plans during recent talks to target additional facilities linked to the missile program. On the other hand, Israeli officials expressed their fears that US President Donald Trump would adopt a model of limited strikes, similar to the recent US operations against the Houthis in Yemen, which could leave Iran’s vital capabilities intact.
Hebrew reports also stated that Washington is still keeping the option of a negotiating path in place in parallel with its extensive military preparations and studying possible offensive options, amid an active regional role led by Egypt, Qatar and Turkey to avoid the outbreak of a comprehensive confrontation.
