Israeli army holds West Bank drill amid escalating Iran tensions

2026-02-15 - 15:45

Israeli forces commenced a military drill Sunday in the vicinity of the Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut settlement, approximately 30 kilometers west of East Jerusalem, according to a military statement. The exercise involves active movement of security forces and military vehicles in the area, though officials declined to specify the operation's duration. The maneuver follows two separate Israeli military exercises conducted on Thursday, including a land drill in the Red Sea region around Eilat and a naval exercise in the Mediterranean. While the latest ground operation occurs against a backdrop of escalating US-Iran tensions following February 6 indirect nuclear talks in Muscat, the Israeli army emphasized the training had been integrated into its 2026 annual plan well in advance of current regional developments . Regional Context The Israeli exercise coincides with a significant expansion of American military assets in the Middle East. The Pentagon has maintained B-2 stealth bombers on heightened alert and positioned the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group with F-35 fighters and Tomahawk-equipped warships within striking distance of Iran. Reports indicate Washington may deploy a second carrier group as diplomacy continues. US and Iranian delegations held indirect talks in Oman earlier this month, mediated by Omani officials, marking the first such engagement since American strikes targeted Iranian nuclear facilities during the 12-day Israeli war on Iran in June 2025. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the atmosphere as "positive" while insisting Tehran's missile program remains "never negotiable". Military Posture The Israeli military has recently intensified readiness measures, including a reported drill simulating an Iranian attack involving 2,000 missiles targeting population centers, described as the Home Front Command's most significant exercise since tensions with Iran escalated. Defense officials have framed these preparations as defensive in nature while maintaining vigilance over Iranian nuclear advancements and regional proxy activities. US officials have warned that failure to reach diplomatic accommodations could result in "very steep" consequences, with President Trump describing recent talks as "very good" while maintaining pressure through sanctions and military positioning. The dual-track approach of diplomacy backed by force posture reflects Washington's strategy to shape Iranian calculations amid what analysts describe as potentially coordinated US-Israeli messaging.