Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu is expected to convene Israel’s restricted security cabinet on Friday in an unusual meeting amid growing intelligence assessments that Iran could launch the next round of fighting by striking Israel first, as defense officials remain on heightened alert for a possible escalation over the weekend.

The rare Friday meeting comes as Israel’s security establishment prepares for multiple scenarios following updated intelligence assessments indicating that Tehran may be changing its strategic approach toward Israel.

According to intelligence assessments developed in recent days by Western intelligence agencies, one of the leading scenarios is that Iran could seek to draw Israel into a broader military confrontation by initiating hostilities itself. The assessment was reported Thursday by Ynet.

According to the report by Nadav Eyal, Iranian leaders believe Israel may currently be reluctant to return to a full-scale military campaign. Tehran is also believed to be looking to exploit what it views as recent strains and disagreements between Jerusalem and Washington.

At the same time, President Donald Trump told Israeli journalist Barak Ravid that he is nearing a decision on Iran and is considering a military strike that would exceed anything carried out previously.

“We are fully prepared for it,” Trump said, adding that “Israel will join within two minutes if I ask them, but we don’t need anybody.”

Trump’s remarks come as tensions across the Middle East continue to intensify. Overnight, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) completed another wave of strikes against military targets inside Iran. According to the report, the operation targeted advanced naval capabilities, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance sites, and Iranian air defense assets. In an unprecedented move, American forces also bombed the Shalamcheh border crossing linking Iran’s Khuzestan Province with southern Iraq.

Israeli defense officials are closely monitoring developments throughout the region while analyzing Iran’s intentions based on intelligence indicating that Tehran may be increasingly willing to take calculated military risks.

Friday’s security cabinet meeting is expected to focus on developing Israel’s strategic roadmap for responding to the emerging threats, including both intelligence operations and military preparedness.

According to the report, the primary objective of the discussions will be to ensure that Israel is prepared to respond rapidly—or act preemptively if necessary—and prevent Iran from exploiting what it perceives as tactical or diplomatic vulnerabilities. Senior defense officials believe Tehran is attempting to capitalize on the current international climate and the complex political environment as it searches for an opportunity to shift the balance of the conflict.