US-Iran war imminent, can go on for weeks; Israel preparing for scenario: Report

Tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated sharply, with senior officials and analysts warning that a large-scale military confrontation could erupt within days and last for weeks, even as diplomatic talks continue, US-based news agency Axios reported.

The agency quoted former Israeli Military Intelligence chief Amos Yadlin as saying on Wednesday that the likelihood of conflict has risen significantly.

"Last week I allowed myself to fly to the Munich Security Conference. I would think twice about flying [abroad from Israel] this weekend," he told Channel 12, a day after a second round of nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran in Geneva.

"We are much closer than we were before, but I remind you — a superpower does not go to war in a matter of days. There is a diplomatic path that must be exhausted," Yadlin said.

He added that while "many oppose the attack" and "the Pentagon is not clear what they want it to achieve," the US president appears determined.

"The statement that all options are on the table is based on a credible military threat, which comes alongside the preparations off the coast of Iran and in the skies".

According to Axios, US officials believe that if military action is



launched, it would not be limited or symbolic but instead a sustained, multi-week campaign.

A White House official was quoted as putting the chances of a strike in the coming weeks at 90 percent.

A senior adviser to US President Donald Trump said Trump "is getting fed up". While some in his circle are urging caution, the adviser added, "Some people around him warn him against going to war with Iran, but I think there is a 90% chance we see kinetic action in the next few weeks".

The report further said the operation would likely be conducted jointly with Israel and could be larger than last year’s 12-day Israeli-led bombing campaign targeting Iranian facilities.

Israeli officials also signalled preparations for possible hostilities. Two officials told the outlet that Israel is preparing for war to break out "within days," and is advocating an operation that could threaten Iran’s ruling regime.

Likud lawmaker Boaz Bismuth, who chairs the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, said Israel faces "challenging days".

"There is no citizen of Israel who doesn’t ask himself several times a day 'when will the Iran conflict happen?'" he said, adding that both the public and authorities are preparing for multiple scenarios.