Israel Alarmed by Iranian Missile Drills, Seeks U.S. Support Amid Threat Concerns

Tel Aviv – Israel has expressed growing concern over recent missile exercises conducted by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), fearing they could signal preparations for a potential attack. Israeli officials have reportedly briefed the Donald Trump administration in the United States about their worries, highlighting the sensitive security situation in the region.

According to Israeli and U.S. sources cited by Axios, evidence of Iran’s military drills has so far been limited to within Iranian territory. However, Israeli authorities remain cautious following the surprise Hamas attack on 7 October 2023, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are not willing to take unnecessary risks. Intelligence agencies in Israel had already raised concerns about Iranian missile activity several weeks ago.

An Israeli source noted that while the likelihood of an Iranian strike is currently considered below 50%, no potential threat is being ignored. “We cannot say with certainty that these are only exercises, or that they are unrelated to any possible preparations,” the source said. A U.S. official added that American intelligence has not detected any immediate indications of an imminent Iranian attack.

Military Coordination with U.S.
On Saturday, Israeli military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir held discussions with Admiral Brad Cooper, head of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). Zamir expressed Israel’s concern over Iran’s recent missile exercises, suggesting they could be used to conceal preparations for a sudden attack. He called for coordinated efforts between Israel and the U.S. to monitor and respond to potential threats.

Netanyahu to Meet Trump
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on 29 December. During the meeting, Netanyahu is expected to discuss Iran’s efforts to rebuild its ballistic missile capabilities and the possibility of preemptive action against Iran in 2026. Israel has received intelligence indicating that Iran is actively working to restore and enhance its missile program.

Historical Context
Concerns over Iran’s military capabilities have been longstanding for both Israel and the U.S. Earlier this year, in June 2025, Israel and the U.S. conducted airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear program, leading to a 12-day conflict. During that period, Iran relied heavily on its missile arsenal to strike Israel. Israeli officials now aim to prevent Tehran from regaining the capabilities lost during those strikes.