Overview
- President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran is in a full‑fledged war with the United States, Israel and Europe, asserting the country’s forces are stronger than before the June conflict and warning of a more decisive response to any new attack.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet President Donald Trump in Florida on Dec. 29 to outline options for potential action against Iran centered on missile production lines and stockpiles, including Israeli‑led, joint, or U.S.-backed strikes.
- Israeli officials have shifted emphasis from Iran’s nuclear program to its ballistic arsenal, urging Washington to treat missiles as an existential threat and, according to analysts, to consider classifying them on par with weapons of mass destruction for Israeli civilians.
- Israel cautioned U.S. counterparts that reported IRGC missile drills could mask preparations for a surprise strike, with IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir raising concerns directly with CENTCOM commander Brad Cooper after Western intelligence flagged unusual aerial activity.
- Reports say Iran is working to repair air defenses and rebuild missile capacity damaged in June’s 12‑day war, as France, Britain and Germany reimposed UN‑linked sanctions in September related to Tehran’s nuclear program.