The Next Israel-Iran War: Here’s What We Know: Only weeks after the ceasefire that ended the 12-day war between Israel and Iran, both sides appear to be preparing for another round of conflict.
The June war was the most direct military confrontation between Israel, the United States, and Iran to date – and while it was limited in duration, the campaign dealt major damage to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and air defenses.
Ultimately, though, it failed to end Tehran’s nuclear program.
This outlet has previously warned that unless Iran agrees to a new nuclear deal by the end of August – a deadline set by the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and some of his European counterparts in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom – Israel and its allies may be compelled to launch further military action. What we are witnessing today may be the beginning of a new era of “nuclear lawn maintenance,” where recurring military strikes could be used to prevent Iran from fully rebuilding its nuclear program.
Recent events and comments from officials within the Iranian, Israeli, and U.S. governments all indicate that fresh attacks could begin before the end of the year.
Iran Expects More Attacks
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has made clear that his country is preparing for the possibility of renewed conflict with Israel.
In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera aired Wednesday, one of his first since the end of the war, Pezeshkian confirmed that Tehran remains committed to its nuclear program.
“We are fully prepared for any new Israeli military move, and our armed forces are ready to strike deep inside Israel again,” he said.
He further clarified that Iran is not expecting the truce to hold.
“We are not very optimistic about it,” he added.
Trump Says He’s Ready
U.S. President Donald Trump has also signaled his willingness to launch further strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure if Tehran continues to defy Western demands.
The warning came in response to comments made by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who told Fox News that the country’s nuclear facilities were severely damaged in the U.S. strikes conducted last month.
Trump issued the warning in a Truth Social post after Araghchi insisted that, despite the damage, Tehran will not abandon its uranium enrichment program.
“It is stopped because, yes, damages are serious and severe. But obviously, we cannot give up on enrichment because it is an achievement of our own scientists. And now, more than that, it is a question of national pride,” Araghchi said.
Responding to his comments about the damage caused, Trump reaffirmed the United States’ intention to act again if necessary.
“Of course they are, just like I said, and we will do it again, if necessary!” Trump wrote.
The comments add to growing speculation that Washington and Jerusalem are preparing for new action over concerns that Iran’s nuclear ambitions are as innocent as officials from Tehran claim. Should Iran defy demands to agree to new conditions or engage in negotiations by the end of August, sanctions are expected to be reimposed on Iran. How long it could take for new strikes to be authorized against Iran, however, would then hinge on how quickly Iran begins the process of recovering enriched uranium or rebuilding its damaged sites.
Israel Is Already Making Plans
Israel’s military and political leadership are already signaling that the ceasefire will not hold. On Tuesday, a senior Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) official confirmed that strikes against Iran and its regional proxies are expected to continue.
IDF Chief of the General Staff General Eyal Zamir made clear that the conflict is far from over, stating that Iran and its regional axis “remain in our sights.”
Zamir made the comment during a multi-arena situational assessment held Monday with senior commanders, including members of the General Staff forum and the Operational Staff Forum. The session focused on intelligence reviews, immediate border threats, and regional dynamics.
After giving updates on Gaza, Zamir turned to Iran, Syria, and Hezbollah, noting that Israel is laying the groundwork to strengthen its defenses over the next year.
“Alongside all of this, we do not forget our most precious resource – our people. Organizational culture, military and societal culture, and values are important matters that we must continue to tackle. The year 2026 will be a year of readiness, consolidation of achievements, return to competence and fundamentals, and utilizing operational opportunities,” he said.
How and when the next strikes begin depends on what happens between now and the end of August.
But one thing is already clear: all three players in this conflict agree that the conflict is far from over.
About the Author:
Jack Buckby is a British author, counter-extremism researcher, and journalist based in New York. Reporting on the U.K., Europe, and the U.S., he works to analyze and understand left-wing and right-wing radicalization, and reports on Western governments’ approaches to the pressing issues of today. His books and research papers explore these themes and propose pragmatic solutions to our increasingly polarized society. His latest book is The Truth Teller: RFK Jr. and the Case for a Post-Partisan Presidency.
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Jim
July 26, 2025 at 2:37 pm
Such as it is, all parties are preparing for war.
The issue is nuclear enrichment.
Israel (and apparently the U. S.) insists on zero enrichment and total dismantlement of the nuclear program.
Iran insists on a civilian enrichment program of 3.75% and the nuclear infrastructure to support that enrichment level.
Each side has legitimate reasons for their position, either under international law, treaties, past actions or practical considerations and necessities associated with the dangers involved as time wears on… the feeling each side has of threat they mutually receive from the other side by words or actions.
But each side will lose in a Middle East War.
Iran demonstrated hypersonic missiles technology which is difficult to stop and was instrumental to Netanyahu agreeing to a cease fire in the 12 Day War.
The U. S. is low on surface to air interceptor munitions and it’s not in United States interest to see the Middle East in chaos & turmoil, potentially spreading beyond Iran and Israel or shutting down the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran doesn’t want to get pounded either, but will defend themselves.
Maybe too well… as a danger exists Israel’s leaders could see Iran’s attacks as an existential threat and, if so, could invoke their nuclear doctrine (which all nuclear powers have) of using nuclear weapons to remove the perceived existential threat to their nation-state.
What kind of death & damage would provoke such a response? I can’t say… but that’s not a path we want to go down.
This already has the ring of escalation.
How dangerous is a civilian enrichment program of 3.75%?
What are the dangers of clandestine enrichment to military grade?
Does Israel have any obligation to be transparent about their nuclear program?
Nuclear “mowing the lawn” of Iran is not the same as Gaza, Iran can defend itself and will hit back harder than Israel wants to take… or can take.
Israel’s economy is in shambles right now and heavily reliant on U. S. aid and the situation is discouraging outside investment in Israel’s economy (and capital fight from Israel).
But Israel has the nuclear card… nobody should want that card played for the sake of the region and the World.
A good faith negotiation approach is better than rounds and rounds of mowing the lawn.
That spells disaster for the region and beyond.
Right now, only the United States has the power & influence to intervene and stop the march to war.
With appropriate diplomatic strategy and implementation of said strategy.
So far, everybody is talking past each other… and not listening very much… hopefully, that’ll settle down a bit and good faith outreach will ripen into good faith negotiations (not like last time) to avoid the pathway to Middle East War…. we are surely on right now.