Israeli officials are pressing US President Donald Trump to authorize a “short and powerful” ground offensive in Iran prior to engaging in negotiations with Tehran, according to a report from Israeli media outlet Maarivdaily on Wednesday.

Concerns Over Potential Negotiations

Israel fears that the United States may move towards talks with Iran before fully dismantling its military capabilities. This concern is driving Israeli officials to urge the Trump administration to undertake a “short, high-intensity operation involving ground forces.”

Trump's Hesitation

Maarivdaily suggests that President Trump’s inconsistent statements regarding the conflict – whether to escalate or de-escalate – “reflect hesitation over how to proceed.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Monday that the war has passed its midpoint “in terms of tasks, though not necessarily in terms of time.”

Netanyahu's Plea for Strong Leadership

In a Monday interview with US outlet Newsmax, Netanyahu urged Trump to prioritize leadership over public opinion. “I’m not saying politicians should ignore polls—everyone looks at them—but if that’s the only thing guiding your actions, then you’re not a leader, you’re a follower,” he said.

Two Potential Paths Forward

According to Maariv, President Trump is currently considering two main options: escalation or negotiation. Escalation could involve targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure, including Kharg Island and the South Pars gas field, both of which have already been targeted. These strikes could last several days to a week, contingent on a reported April 6th deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Israeli Support for US Ground Forces

Israel has made clear it will not deploy ground troops to Iran, but would provide strong support to the US military if Washington chooses to do so. “They will get from us intelligence—precise intelligence—and every possible assistance and more,” an unnamed Israeli security source told Maariv.

Negotiation as an Alternative

The second option being considered is negotiating an agreement that limits Iran’s missile and nuclear capabilities without completely destroying its military infrastructure. However, Netanyahu and his advisors reportedly favor the escalation option, believing that reaching an agreement with Iran at this time would be a “clear Iranian victory.”

Weakening Iran for Future Change

While toppling the Iranian government is not currently considered feasible, Israel aims to weaken it to the point where future mass protests are more likely. To this end, Israel has intensified strikes on strategic industries, including steel production, targeting plants in Khuzestan and Isfahan, while avoiding attacks on oil and gas sectors at Trump’s request.

Economic Impact and Regional Strategy

Attacks have reportedly destroyed between 3% and 4% of Iran’s GDP, significantly hindering its ability to recover. An unnamed senior Israeli intelligence official stated that destroying essential construction material production facilities will require significant time and external support for Iran to rebuild.

Regional Concerns and Pressure on Washington

Israel is also considering broader regional strategic gains from the conflict. An unnamed senior Israeli diplomatic official revealed that “Iran’s neighbours are keen to end the war without toppling the regime” and are coordinating with Israel. These countries are reportedly exerting pressure on Washington not to halt the conflict prematurely, fearing “a more radical, wounded, and vengeful Iran.”

The US and Israel have been conducting air offensives on Iran since February 28th, resulting in over 1,340 fatalities, including former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran has responded with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries, causing casualties, infrastructure damage, and disruptions to global markets and aviation.