Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Iran Prepares Bigger Fight with US and Israel After Ceasefire
The United States and Iran made a deal in June to pause their fighting.
But while things were quiet, Iran was busy getting ready for a bigger fight.
Iran's special military group, the Revolutionary Guard, made more missiles and made them more accurate.
The group's spokesman said they "took full advantage" of the calm time.
Iran believes America and Israel only signed the deal to buy time to prepare a larger attack on Iran.
So Iran made plans with friends in Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon and made targeting lists for Saudi Arabia.
Iran is also considering new moves, like cutting internet cables under the sea or sending soldiers into Kuwait.
Kuwait already caught six Iranian soldiers who came to one of its islands by boat.
So even though there is a peace deal, both sides are getting ready for more fighting.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard used the ceasefire period following a June US memorandum of understanding to prepare for a larger confrontation, according to a Wall Street Journal report.
Preparations included accelerated missile production, improved missile accuracy, expanded counterintelligence operations, and greater IRGC oversight of Iran's regular army.
Iran coordinated with allied militias in Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon and supplied Yemeni militants with targeting lists focused on Saudi ports and energy facilities.
Fresh escalation options reportedly include pre-emptive strikes, sabotage of Persian Gulf undersea internet cables, and potential ground operations in Kuwait.
Kuwait said its security forces intercepted six Revolutionary Guard personnel who landed on a Kuwaiti island using a rented fishing vessel in early May.
- Who
- Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, the new IRGC Commander-in-Chief Ahmad Vahidi, and US President Donald Trump, who signed the June agreement.
- What
- Iran used the post-ceasefire period to build up missile, drone, and counterintelligence capabilities and prepare military escalation options, including possible ground operations in Kuwait.
- When
- Following the mid-June memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran; the report cites statements made in July and an incident in early May.
- Where
- Iran, Washington DC, and the wider Middle East, including Kuwait, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the Persian Gulf region.
- Why
- Iran's hard-line leadership believed the US and Israel might use the agreement to gain time to prepare a larger attack, so Iran prepared for a bigger confrontation.
US/Israel View
Iranian View
Purpose of the June Agreement
US/Israel View
Washington expected the memorandum of understanding to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and begin winding down the conflict.
Iranian View
Iran's hard-line leadership saw the agreement as a US and Israel attempt to ease economic pressure while gaining time to prepare a larger attack.
Use of the Ceasefire Period
US/Israel View
The US anticipated that the calm would lead to de-escalation and reduced hostilities.
Iranian View
Iran says it "took full advantage" of the ceasefire to enhance capabilities, accelerate missile production, and prepare for a bigger fight.
- Reporting outlet
- Wall Street Journal, citing Iranian and Arab officials
- Agreement
- US-Iran memorandum of understanding signed in mid-June by President Donald Trump
- Key quote
- Brig Gen Hossein Mohebbi: "We took full advantage of the ceasefire period... accelerated our missile production rate and improved missile accuracy."
- Military buildup
- Accelerated missile production, improved accuracy, expanded counterintelligence, and more IRGC oversight of the regular army
- New IRGC commander
- Ahmad Vahidi, tasked with executing "powerful offensive operations against the enemy"
- Kuwait incident
- Six IRGC personnel intercepted on a Kuwaiti island in early May
- Escalation options
- Pre-emptive strikes, undersea internet cable sabotage, political unrest in Kuwait and Bahrain, ground operations in Kuwait