Layla Hadid
US authorities have raised alarms over the possibility of a significant Iranian assault on Israeli grounds within the next day or two. This warning follows the earlier fatal targeting of two senior Iranian military leaders by Israel, an act which has drawn a vow of severe reprisal from Tehran.
According to an undisclosed US official who communicated with the Wall Street Journal, intelligence insights point to an increased risk targeting Israeli interests, possibly culminating in an attack from Friday to Sunday on Israeli territory.
Additional details from another pair of unnamed US officials, reported by CBS News, suggest that the offensive could involve over a hundred drones and numerous missiles, with actions potentially commencing as early as Friday evening.
In anticipation of these threats, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are reportedly ramping up preparations for a direct assault on southern or northern regions of Israel, a concern also voiced by an Israeli informant to the Wall Street Journal. Concurrently, the US Embassy in West Jerusalem has issued a caution to Americans, advising against travel outside the central areas of Israel, Jerusalem, or Beersheba until the situation stabilizes.
White House National Security spokesperson John Kirby highlighted the gravity of the situation on Friday, declaring,
This is a credible threat,
thereby underlining the US’s serious view on the unfolding scenario.
This heightened alert follows an incident earlier in the month where an Israeli airstrike aimed at Iran’s diplomatic premises in Damascus resulted in the deaths of seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force, including two generals. In retaliation, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has pledged a forceful counterstrike against Israel.
While speculation about an impending Iranian retaliation has been prevalent in Western media, specific details regarding the timing or venue of the expected counterattack remain undisclosed by Tehran.
Sources from the US conveyed to Politico that while anticipating a significant response from Iran, efforts would likely be made by Tehran to keep it measured enough to prevent any large-scale escalation by Washington. The intention, as per these sources, is for Iran to “calibrate” their actions to avert further escalation.
Meanwhile, several military strategies are reportedly under consideration by Ayatollah Khamenei, which include possible attacks on Israeli infrastructure such as power plants, employing medium-range ballistic missiles. The decision on which path to take is still being deliberated by the Ayatollah, keeping in mind the associated political implications.
Amid these developments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during a visit to a military base on Thursday, sternly addressed the threat, asserting,
Whoever harms us, we will harm them,
emphasizing Israel’s preparedness to defend and retaliate according to its security prerogatives.
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