Netanyahu Orders Military to Step Up Strikes on Iran
Residents watch and take pictures as flames and smoke rise from an oil storage facility struck as attacks hit the city during the US–Israeli military campaign in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Alireza Sotakbar/ISNA via AP)
Israel’s government is accelerating its military campaign against Iran, seeking to inflict major damage on Iran’s defense industry before potential diplomacy between Washington and Tehran slows or halts the fighting.
According to reporting by The New York Times, which cited two senior Israeli officials and others familiar with the situation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed Israel’s military on Tuesday to take advantage of a roughly 48-hour period to strike as much of Iran’s weapons infrastructure as possible. The directive came shortly after Israel received a 15-point proposal drafted by the United States aimed at ending the conflict, a plan that American officials have also presented to Iran.
Israeli leaders are concerned that a quick move toward negotiations could lead to a ceasefire before Israel accomplishes what it sees as its main war goals. Those objectives include severely weakening Iran’s missile arsenal, preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, and creating conditions that could increase internal pressure on Iran’s leadership.
Some advisers close to Netanyahu believe the U.S. proposal does not go far enough in restricting Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. As a result, Israel has stepped up its air campaign, coordinating operations from its underground military command centers.
Channel 12 in Israel reported Tuesday that the possibility of a swift and unclear agreement in principle is deeply worrying Israel’s political and security leadership. According to The Times of Israel, officials fear such a deal could halt military operations before Israel believes it has achieved decisive results against Iran’s military capabilities.
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