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Israel has detected a significant American military buildup in the Persian Gulf region, including the deployment of the warship USS Tripoli, as the United States prepares for a military operation to end Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, according to Israeli officials and a report by Kan News on Wednesday evening.
An Israeli source told Kan News that such an operation would take approximately two weeks, though broader assessments suggest the campaign could extend over several weeks as long as Iran continues to prevent passage through the strait.
Israel is expected to participate in the operation, though initially in a limited capacity. According to reporting by Kan News from the previous day, Israel's role would begin with intelligence sharing to support the US-led military effort, which is expected to be carried out in partnership with Gulf states.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman, is one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. Roughly one-fifth of global oil supply passes through the strait daily, making any disruption to its navigation a matter of acute concern for international energy markets and global trade.
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Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump issued a pointed warning to NATO, saying the alliance faces a "very bad" future if strategic partners do not assist in reopening the strait, which Iran has blockaded in connection with the ongoing conflict.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Trump argued that those who benefit from the waterway should help ensure its security, adding that a negative response, or no response at all, from allies would bode poorly for NATO's future.
Earlier US reporting indicated that the Trump administration is planning to announce a coalition to escort shipping vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Wall Street Journal reported that several countries have agreed to form such a coalition to accompany ships through the waterway, though deliberations continue over whether the escort operation should begin before or after the conclusion of hostilities with Iran. The White House declined to comment on the report.
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