Israel Reported to Be Preparing Strike on Iran

A Major General known to be close to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Uzi Dayan, said in a television interview that Israel is preparing a pre-emptive strike against Iran, arguing it is necessary to secure freedom of military action against what he described as a threat. In his assessment, quoted by Middle East Monitor on Wednesday (19/8/2026), Israel is currently in a “war for its existence”, while warning that his country cannot fully depend on the United States in dealing with Iran. Uzi Dayan’s remarks come amid continuing tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme and military capabilities, and have intensified debate in Israel over whether the country could launch an independent military action if the US is unwilling to take steps that Tel Aviv considers sufficient.

At the end of last month, the US and Israel were reported to be considering imposing a land blockade on Iran as part of efforts to increase economic pressure on the country, according to a report by The Telegraph on Friday (31/8/2026). The report said the possibility was discussed in a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office at the White House that week. A land blockade was said to be one of a number of options being considered by Washington and Tel Aviv to pressure Iran to return to the negotiating table. According to the report, the success of the plan depends on the support of Iran’s neighbouring countries and its allies in the region. Those countries would likely be asked to close border crossings to hinder the flow of goods in and out of Iran. However, the US government is aware that a number of countries, such as Pakistan and Iraq, are unlikely to be willing to support the move. The report also said that countries that decide to follow Washington’s policy could potentially face economic and security consequences if Iran takes retaliatory action.