JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has endorsed coordinated US military strikes against Iran's electrical infrastructure, marking the most explicit Israeli backing for American action since Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz three weeks ago. The unprecedented public alignment between Jerusalem and Washington signals a dramatic escalation in the Gulf crisis that has already sent oil prices soaring past $140 per barrel.

Background

The Strait of Hormuz closure represents Iran's most aggressive response yet to renewed US sanctions targeting its banking sector. Tehran has maintained naval blockades at the narrow waterway since 2 March, effectively halting 21% of global oil shipments and triggering the worst energy crisis since 1979. Previous Iranian threats to close Hormuz remained largely rhetorical, but Revolutionary Guard naval forces now physically prevent tanker passage.

Netanyahu's statement breaks with decades of Israeli policy avoiding public coordination with American military operations. "We understand the necessity of acting together, with complete confidence in our shared objectives," the Prime Minister told reporters Friday evening. His comments followed intensive consultations with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and military intelligence chief Major General Aharon Haliva.

What Happened

The Israeli endorsement emerged after Washington presented detailed targeting plans to key allies. Pentagon sources indicate the proposed strikes would disable Iran's national power grid without targeting nuclear facilities, seeking to pressure Tehran into reopening shipping lanes while avoiding broader conflict. The electrical infrastructure represents Iran's most vulnerable strategic asset, with aging Soviet-era equipment concentrated in accessible locations.

"Netanyahu's public backing transforms this from an American operation into a coordinated Western response," explains Dr. Yoel Guzansky, senior researcher at Tel Aviv's Institute for National Security Studies. "It signals that Israel views Hormuz closure as an existential economic threat requiring immediate action."

Regional Implications

The Israeli position dramatically raises stakes for regional powers caught between Washington and Tehran. Saudi Arabia faces particular pressure, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly refusing to allow US aircraft access to Saudi airspace for Iran strikes. The kingdom's delicate balancing act between American security guarantees and regional stability has become increasingly precarious.

Gulf states Qatar and UAE have already begun diplomatic initiatives aimed at reopening Hormuz through negotiated settlement. Both nations fear that US-Israeli military action could trigger broader Iranian retaliation against their energy infrastructure. Iran possesses sophisticated missile capabilities that could target oil facilities across the Arabian Peninsula within hours of any American strike.

What Comes Next

The coordination signals Washington's determination to act within days rather than weeks. Military analysts suggest the operation could commence as early as next weekend, when weather conditions favor precision targeting of electrical substations. Iran has warned that any attack on its infrastructure will trigger "maximum retaliation" against Israeli cities and American bases throughout the Middle East.

"This represents the most dangerous moment in US-Iran relations since 1987," warns Professor Suzanne Maloney of the Brookings Institution. "Netanyahu's endorsement eliminates any remaining diplomatic off-ramps and makes military confrontation nearly inevitable."

European allies remain deeply skeptical of the escalation, with French President Emmanuel Macron calling for emergency UN Security Council sessions. China and Russia have both threatened economic retaliation against any nation participating in strikes against Iranian infrastructure.

The crisis has already reshuffled global energy markets, with European nations scrambling to secure alternative oil supplies from West Africa and North America. Maritime insurance rates for Gulf shipping have increased by 300% since the closure began, effectively pricing smaller operators out of the market entirely.

Readers seeking additional context on US-Iran tensions should examine the historical precedents for Gulf shipping blockades during the 1980s tanker war.