Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu convened a high-level security meeting Sunday evening that lasted more than four hours, as Israel closely monitors escalating tensions surrounding Iran and ongoing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran.

Members of the restricted security cabinet and senior defense officials have been in continuous consultations since around 6 p.m., conducting a multi-front assessment of the situation. A full meeting of the diplomatic-security cabinet is scheduled for Monday at 6:00 p.m.

Earlier in the day, during the weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu instructed ministers to refrain from making public comments about Iran, warning that “this is a sensitive period and words must be chosen carefully,” according to a report by Ynet.

The developments come as Iran’s Foreign Ministry announced that Tehran had received a response from the United States, via Pakistan, to its latest proposal aimed at ending the conflict, and that the proposal is currently under review. However, President Donald Trump said in an interview with Kan News that he rejected the offer. “I studied the new Iranian proposal, and it is not acceptable to me,” he said.

Israeli officials are tracking the negotiations but believe the chances of reaching an agreement remain slim, citing Iran’s refusal to meet Trump’s demand to relinquish enriched nuclear material at the outset of any deal.

In a separate statement posted overnight on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “I will be reviewing the plan that Iran sent us soon, but I can’t imagine it will be acceptable considering they have not paid a heavy enough price for what they have done to humanity and the world over the last 47 years.” Asked earlier about the possibility of renewed military action against the Islamic Republic, he responded: “There is a chance that could happen.”

According to Israeli officials familiar with the matter and quoted by Ynet, the United States is not only pursuing diplomatic channels but is also preparing for the possibility that fighting could resume, including a significant military campaign that may involve extended ground operations.

{Matzav.com}