Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently delivered a stern warning to Iran, stating that if Tehran "makes a mistake and attacks us, we will act with a force it has not yet known." This declaration was made during a session of the Knesset on January 19, 2026, and reflects heightened tensions in the Middle East. The warning comes as the United States is reportedly repositioning military assets, including the nuclear-powered USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, towards the region. There have also been discussions between Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump regarding potential military action against Iran, particularly concerning its nuclear and missile programs, following a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran in June 2025 where US forces struck Iranian nuclear facilities. However, at one point, Netanyahu reportedly urged Trump to delay prospective strikes to allow Israel time for preparations. Beyond the immediate threat to Iran, Netanyahu also publicly addressed disagreements with the United States concerning the composition of an advisory board for Gaza's post-war governance, specifically opposing the inclusion of Turkish and Qatari officials. Meanwhile, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has countered these developments by asserting that the recent internal unrest in Iran, sparked by economic hardship, is part of a joint US-Israeli plot designed to exploit the challenging conditions faced by the Iranian people. Iran's Defence Minister has also issued warnings, accusing the US, Israel, and their allies of actively seeking to destabilize Iran. The situation remains volatile, with Iran also having warned the US that any strike on its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei would be considered an act of all-out war. This ongoing geopolitical friction highlights a deeply complex and increasingly precarious security landscape in the region, with significant global implications.