Israeli military chief says forces on "highest alert"

JERUSALEM, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir said on Wednesday that the Israel Defense Forces are at the "highest level of alert", as the United States threatened to resume attacks on Iran.

Zamir made the remarks during a meeting with all division commanders to assess troop readiness and the progress of Israel's multi-front fighting, according to a statement issued by the military.

During the meeting, Zamir and the commanders held an "operational situational assessment" and discussed force readiness and the continuation of combat in various arenas, the statement said.

Zamir said that the military had in recent years carried out "systematic, powerful and step-by-step strikes" against Iran and its allies, and is currently reinforcing forces in several border areas.

He added that the military needs to expand its active-duty personnel to carry out its missions and ease pressure on reservists, calling it a "critical issue" for the military's operational capacity.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the United States would act "very quickly" if Iran fails to provide "the right answer" in talks to reach an agreement between the two sides. Enditem