Israel reportedly preparing major escalation against Iran after Trump deadline

Israel is reportedly finalising plans for a significant military escalation against Iran as a deadline set by US President Donald Trump for Tehran to reach a nuclear agreement approaches, according to sources cited by regional and international media outlets.

Reports emerging on Monday indicate that Israeli military and intelligence officials have been coordinating closely with Washington in recent weeks, with Tel Aviv said to be awaiting a formal signal from the Trump administration before proceeding with any potential strike package targeting Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure.

President Trump issued a stern ultimatum to Iran in early March, demanding that Tehran engage in direct negotiations over its nuclear programme within sixty days or face severe consequences. The deadline, which analysts say is now drawing near, has intensified behind-the-scenes discussions between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior American officials.

Israel has long maintained that it will not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon and has conducted several strikes on Iranian-linked targets across the region in recent years. The latest reports suggest that Jerusalem views the current diplomatic window as the final opportunity to resolve the matter short of a broader military confrontation.

Iran, for its part, has publicly rejected direct negotiations with Washington under what it describes as a policy of maximum pressure and coercion. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei reiterated last week that Tehran would not capitulate to threats, while Iranian officials have warned of a decisive response to any act of aggression.

The developments are being watched closely across the Gulf, where Qatar and its neighbours face potential spillover consequences from any regional military escalation. Doha, which has historically maintained open diplomatic channels with both Washington and Tehran, has consistently advocated for dialogue and de-escalation as the only viable path to resolving the Iranian nuclear dispute.

Qatar hosts the largest US military base in the Middle East at Al Udeid, making regional stability a matter of direct national security interest for Doha. Qatari officials have in recent months reiterated calls for diplomatic engagement and warned against unilateral military actions that could destabilise the broader region.

Energy markets are also closely monitoring the situation, as any military confrontation involving Iran could disrupt shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of global liquefied natural gas exports — including those from Qatar — transit daily.

No official confirmation of the reported Israeli plans has been issued by Jerusalem, Washington, or Doha as of the time of publication.