Israel is back in the war room. Intelligence from July 2025 confirms that the Netanyahu government is preparing a second wave of strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. The first round, Operation Midnight Hammer, hit three sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan on June 22. Fordow was buried. Natanz and Isfahan were not. According to the latest U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency assessment, only one of the three sites was fully destroyed. The other two sustained damage but remain operational. Iran could resume enrichment within months. That’s not victory. That’s delay.
The original plan was bigger. General Erik Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command, proposed a sustained campaign targeting six facilities over several weeks. Trump rejected it. He wanted a one-night strike. No prolonged conflict. No body count. The Pentagon called the scaled-down version a “spectacular success.” But internal briefings tell a different story. The uranium stockpile at Isfahan may have survived. Israeli officials say it’s buried, not destroyed. If Iran digs, Israel will strike again. That’s the posture.
Netanyahu met with Trump on July 7. He asked for a green light. Trump didn’t say no. Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer confirmed that the White House would authorize further action if Iran moves uranium or rebuilds enrichment tunnels. Snapback sanctions are also on the table. The IAEA pulled inspectors from Iran last week. Tehran suspended cooperation. President Pezeshkian signed the law himself. The nuclear watchdog is blind. That’s not oversight. That’s blackout.
Meanwhile, fallout from Gaza is spreading. On July 17, an Israeli tank shell hit the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza City. Three civilians were killed. Ten wounded. Parish priest Father Gabriel Romanelli was among the injured. The compound was sheltering 600 displaced people, including 54 with special needs. Netanyahu called it “stray ammunition.” Trump called Netanyahu directly. The White House said his reaction “was not positive.” Netanyahu issued a statement hours later: “Israel deeply regrets.” The IDF says it’s investigating. The Latin Patriarchate condemned the strike. Pope Leo XIV called for an immediate ceasefire.
The timing is not random. Iran’s nuclear program is still intact. Israel’s deterrence is under scrutiny. Gaza is burning. Lebanon is unstable. Syria’s Druze region is in flux. Hezbollah’s Radwan Force is rebuilding. The region is primed. Netanyahu wants to finish what Midnight Hammer started. Trump might let him.
Sources:
https://en.tempo.co/read/2025974/israel-ready-to-strike-iran-again-seeks-u-s-approval
https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-chickened-plan-truly-decimate-164018840.html
https://www.rawstory.com/donald-trump-iran-halt
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/17/netanyahu-apology-israel-church-strike-00461021
