Trump Reportedly Does Not Want Israel to Be Involved in Battle with Iran

JAKARTA - Following a sharp escalation between the US and Iran that threatens to thwart a ceasefire agreement, two Israeli sources stated that the Donald Trump administration does not want Israel's involvement in the battle due to concerns about losing control of the conflict.

"(Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu actually really wants to join the US attack," one source quoted by CNN said, Friday, July 10.

"However, the US does not want Israel's involvement for now," he continued.

CNN has reached out to the White House for a response, but has not heard back.

On Thursday, the Israeli Defense Minister stated that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are ready to launch a war against Iran again, even if they have to do it alone.

"The IDF is on high alert and ready to continue operations, regain air superiority, and launch an independent Israeli attack on Iran to eliminate the threat - even for the third time," Israel Katz said at the IDF's new pilot graduation ceremony.

"If we have to go back into action, we will come back with a much greater strength," he said.

However, one source said the prevailing assessment on the Israeli side was that Trump did not want a full-scale war, and the maximum step he might be willing to take was to reimpose a naval blockade on Iranian ports.