PNN – An Israeli newspaper Maariv has revealed that the regime’s prime minister—contrary to the assessments of security agencies and the military—is attempting to prepare Israeli public opinion for a renewed escalation of war against Iran; a move that, according to the paper, is linked more to political objectives and efforts to avert an electoral defeat than to security considerations.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network citing Maariv, Israeli political sources revealed to the newspaper’s political correspondent, Ben Caspit, that Benjamin Netanyahu—facing a dramatic slump in poll numbers—is attempting to turn his potential defeat in the upcoming elections into an opportunity to remain in power by dragging the Zionist regime into a new war with Iran; this comes as the regime’s security establishment opposes entering a new round of conflict with Tehran due to the severe consequences such a confrontation would entail.
According to the report, political sources cited claims attributed to the Mossad stating that Iran has transferred thousands of centrifuges to an underground facility within Mount Kolang, located south of the Natanz nuclear site.
Maariv reported that, ahead of the elections, Netanyahu and his inner circle are leveraging these claims to sway public opinion prior to his scheduled trip to Washington and his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.
The newspaper also highlighted a growing divergence between the interests of Netanyahu and Trump regarding Iran, noting that while Trump continues to weigh and discuss the prospect of renewed conflict with Iran, Netanyahu views an escalation of the confrontation—ideally involving direct Israeli participation—as being in his own interest.
Meanwhile, citing poll results published on Friday, Maariv reported that the Likud party would secure only 20 Knesset seats if elections were held. According to political sources, the outbreak of a new war could bolster Netanyahu’s standing, at least within the Likud party.
In this context, a senior Israeli diplomat told Al-Monitor: The situation is peculiar; Trump could start a war with Iran but chooses not to, whereas Netanyahu wants to but cannot.
The report adds that on Thursday, continuing its allegations against Iran, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office claimed that the Mossad had thwarted an Iranian plot to assassinate several high-ranking Israeli officials.
In this context, an Israeli intelligence source told Maariv that the raising of these claims at the present time might be intended to prepare Israeli public opinion to justify a potential decision by Netanyahu to return to war.
Maariv also cited a Wall Street Journal report claiming that Iranian centrifuges have been transferred to a fortified underground facility—one that, according to intelligence sources, is virtually invulnerable to an effective Israeli strike.
The newspaper concluded by emphasizing that senior Israeli military officials are reluctant to enter a new round of war with Iran, as there is no guarantee of achieving military objectives against Tehran, while Israel would face the risk of a massive retaliatory response from Iran.