After the IDF took part in the multinational Blue Flag training exercise, Israel and the United States are planning their next joint training event, scheduled for this spring, in May 2014. The timing of the training event will coincide with the agreement between Iran and Western nations expiring.

A high-ranking IDF officer is quoted telling TIME “It will send signals both to Israel and to the Iranians that we are maintaining our capabilities in the military option,” the Israeli officer said. “The atmosphere is we have to do it big time, we have to do a big show of capabilities and connections.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)