Israel security cabinet ordered Iran strike preparations, KAN reports

Israel’s security cabinet instructed the military to step up preparations for a possible attack on Iran, Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported late Wednesday, Nov. 11. The directive, described by KAN as potentially leading to activities that could trigger a wider war, surfaced amid a tense political transition and an unusually public dispute between caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot over decision-making and oversight.

KAN said the cabinet had not convened in the past month, even as the guidance to increase readiness was issued. The report became public shortly after Eisenkot urged restraint in a statement on Wednesday, warning against deploying security forces absent an immediate, non-deferrable threat.

Netanyahu pushed back on Thursday, accusing Eisenkot of acting irresponsibly by publicly discussing sensitive security matters. Eisenkot replied that he had been denied standard operational briefings and accused the government of delaying parliamentary oversight.

What did KAN report?

KAN reported that the security cabinet told the Israel Defense Forces to intensify preparations for a possible operation against Iran. “The directives issued by the security cabinet to the Israeli military could lead it to carry out activities that could trigger a war,” the broadcaster said, according to Anadolu Agency and Al Jazeera. KAN’s account, cited by multiple outlets, emphasized preparations and readiness rather than an order to launch an attack on a set timetable.

Senior security officials told KAN that the IDF continues to prepare for a possible renewal of military operations, in line with directives from the political leadership. They cautioned that the longer the situation remains unresolved—without military action or an agreement—the greater the risk that previous gains against Iran will erode, JPost reported, citing KAN.

Separately, Channel 12 reported Tuesday that Netanyahu and Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir again differed over potential action against Iran. According to Channel 12, as cited by Anadolu, Zamir considered steps pursued by Netanyahu to be ill‑advised and liable to trigger a confrontation at a time requiring caution. These accounts, like KAN’s, describe internal deliberations and assessments rather than a scheduled strike.

Why is the timing politically sensitive?

Netanyahu is serving in a caretaker capacity after his ruling coalition lost its parliamentary majority in the October elections. Over the weekend, President Isaac Herzog asked Eisenkot, the Yashar party leader and opposition head, to try to form a new government, Al Jazeera and The Jerusalem Post reported. Against that backdrop, KAN said the cabinet last met in person on Oct. 5 and that directives were issued despite the cabinet not convening in the past month.

KAN said the directive’s existence surfaced after Eisenkot publicly urged Netanyahu to refrain from unnecessary military operations until a new government is formed. In a statement Wednesday on X, cited by Anadolu, Eisenkot warned against deploying security forces without a direct and immediate threat requiring urgent action, arguing that such steps could have devastating consequences for Israeli democracy and public trust in state institutions. JPost quoted his letter to Netanyahu: “Deploying security forces without a direct and immediate threat that cannot be postponed could have devastating consequences for Israeli democracy and public trust in state institutions.”

Eisenkot also urged Netanyahu to avoid placing security chiefs in a constitutional dilemma over which orders they should follow, Anadolu reported. He appealed to Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara to help him receive regular security briefings, according to KAN and JPost, saying he sought customary updates through official channels as he attempted to form a government.

Netanyahu responded Thursday, according to JPost, accusing Eisenkot of acting irresponsibly by airing sensitive security matters publicly. “All decisions made by the government were based solely on security considerations and in full coordination with the defense establishment,” he said. Eisenkot replied, per JPost, by asking why his request for an operational briefing had been refused and why the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee was not being convened until next week, adding: “I will not allow a vacuum in the oversight of a government that has lost the Knesset’s confidence.”

What has the United States said?

The exchange in Jerusalem comes as the United States signals caution. U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated he sees no immediate need for additional strikes against Iran, The Jerusalem Post reported. Anadolu, citing Channel 12, said Trump showed no desire to enter another conflict.

Earlier this month, NewsCubby reported on Trump holding off on further strikes while Netanyahu pressed for action. Days later, Trump said U.S. forces had struck an Iranian air-defense system as Qatar pursued talks.

How has Iran responded?

Iranian officials issued pointed warnings this week about the potential scope of any renewed confrontation. Iran’s deputy chief of the General Staff, Amir Kioumars Heydari, said Wednesday in a televised interview with state broadcaster IRIB that U.S. military bases and interests were within range of Iranian missiles and drones, Anadolu reported. He said Tehran was prepared to strike targets beyond the region if renewed attacks occurred and that if aircraft launched from another country’s soil attacked Iran, Tehran could strike comparable targets in that country. Anadolu reported that Heydari said Iran had prepared a list of potential targets extending beyond areas involved in previous fighting, including locations U.S. or Israeli forces might use.

Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and described by Anadolu as Iran’s security chief, warned that Tehran could target U.S. military installations in distant locations, including Europe. Anadolu quoted him saying, “I mean US military bases in distant areas that we have not attacked so far,” and, “We may even target some US military bases in European countries.” Al Jazeera cited Rezaei on social media saying: “If the US launches another war against Iran, every military base involved in the aggression, from West Asia to Europe, will be a legitimate target for Iran’s lethal strikes,” adding, “No safe distance. No safe haven. No immunity.”

These are official Iranian statements of intent and capability; they have not been independently verified by NewsCubby.

What’s next

Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth daily reported, according to Anadolu, that the security cabinet is scheduled to meet Sunday. The Jerusalem Post also reported Thursday that the cabinet is set to convene for the first time in more than a month. Any formal decisions or clarifications about the reported directives could emerge at that session.

In the interim, senior security officials told KAN the IDF will continue preparations in line with political guidance. Eisenkot has said the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee is not being convened until next week, JPost reported.

The broader backdrop remains volatile. Anadolu has reported that U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28 prompted retaliatory attacks by Tehran. An April ceasefire and a June framework agreement did not hold, and fighting later resumed as talks between Washington and Tehran stalled.

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