Belarusian President Lukashenko announced on May 12 that Belarus will conduct selective mobilization of military units and increase combat readiness drills, stating the country must prepare for potential war while expressing commitment to peace. Multiple sources including United24Media, Ukrainian News Agency, and EADaily independently confirmed the announcement made during a meeting with Belarus's Defense Minister. The timing coincides with the broader regional tensions from the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran that began in late February 2026, though Lukashenko did not specify a particular threat — Belarus has historically sought to maintain neutrality while managing pressure from its Russian neighbor.