Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Tuesday that Israel has no interest in joining the renewed military campaign between the United States and Iran, calling the current limited conflict the best outcome for his country. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security forum on Monday to review developments, while three Israeli sources told CNN that the military remains on high alert and is drafting operational plans for potential escalation.
The renewed hostilities, which erupted in early July 2026 after Iranian attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, mark a collapse of the ceasefire reached in April following the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February 2026. The US has since launched air strikes while Iran has targeted Gulf states hosting American bases.
Israeli officials are satisfied with the status quo as Washington and Tehran exchange blows, sources said. Smotrich told a conference that a contained US-Iran clash suits Israel. However, if drawn in, Israel would seek to strike Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites that were off-limits during the March 2026 campaign.