Two Israeli sources have told CNN that the Trump administration does not currently want Israel to participate in U.S. strikes against Iran, even as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is said to be eager to join the operations. The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed the prevailing assessment in Israel is that President Donald Trump has no appetite for a return to full-scale war and would at most be willing to reimpose a naval blockade on Iranian ports. A U.S. official denied the report to Fox News, calling it “fake news” and insisting that the United States maintains a strong relationship with Israel and remains in close coordination with its partners. The White House has not yet responded to CNN’s request for comment.

The exchange of claims follows a fresh round of hostilities that shattered a short-lived ceasefire. After Iran targeted a merchant vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. and Iran traded strikes, with Tehran also hitting American bases in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and Qatar. Trump declared on Truth Social that the ceasefire is “OVER!” while confirming that talks would continue. Against this backdrop, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz told a graduation ceremony for new pilots that the Israel Defense Forces are on high alert and prepared to resume the campaign, regain air superiority, and carry out an independent Israeli strike against Iran “even for a third time.” Netanyahu, speaking at the same event, warned that “the war has not yet ended” and that Iran would not be permitted to obtain a nuclear weapon.

Viewed from Jerusalem, the public warnings may overstate Israel’s actual desire to re-enter the fighting. Israeli analyst Nadav Eyal told Fox News that off the record, sources indicate the opposite. He pointed to the domestic political cost of renewed Iranian ballistic missile attacks on Israeli cities, especially as the country approaches elections. “If the intention is only to use Israel as leverage, why should Israelis again experience a couple of weeks or more of sitting in safe rooms and losing their summer vacations?” Eyal said. The analyst added that while Israel would find it difficult to refuse a direct demand from Trump, “right now, I don’t see any passion for it.”

The dossier remains fluid. The U.S. official’s denial of the CNN report underscores the sensitivity of the coordination question, while Katz’s assertion that Israel is prepared to act alone signals a determination to preserve operational independence. The Trump administration’s stated preference, according to the Israeli sources, is to keep the conflict contained and avoid a scenario in which Israeli involvement could trigger a broader regional escalation. With the ceasefire declared over but diplomatic channels still open, the next factual steps are expected to include further military posturing and continued behind-the-scenes discussions between Washington and Jerusalem on the rules of engagement.