Iran is preparing to “imminently launch a ballistic missile attack against Israel,” according to a senior US government official, who warned on Tuesday of “serious consequences” if this were to happen. It would be a qualitative leap in the escalation of the war in the Middle East that began on October 7.
The US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Washington was actively supporting Israel’s defense preparations, a day after Israel began a “limited” invasion of southern Lebanon with the stated aim of destroying infrastructure that the Iranian-backed Shiite militia Hezbollah uses to attack northern Israel.
Immediately after Israel announced the start of the operation, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed that he had held talks with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, and that they both agreed on the need to destroy Hezbollah’s infrastructure. Austin also confirmed Washington’s commitment to Israel’s security, and warned Tehran against any direct attack on its ally. Tensions in the region are at their highest point since the war in Gaza began a year ago.
“Secretary and Minister Gallant discussed the serious consequences for Iran in the event Iran chooses to launch a direct military attack against Israel,” the Pentagon said in a statement.
As a deterrent to a possible attack, the United States announced that several thousand more soldiers would be sent to the Middle East to reinforce the troops already stationed there. The decision brings the number of US soldiers deployed in the region to around 43,000. The Pentagon will also double the number of F-16, F-15 and F-22 fighter planes it has in the Middle East. In addition, the aircraft carrier Harry Truman is on route towards the Mediterranean, while the Abraham Lincoln has extended its mission in the Gulf of Oman for one month.
Iran’s attack in April
Iran launched a direct attack on Israel with more than 200 drones and missiles in April, although most of them were intercepted. With the help of the United States, Israeli forces shot down most of them, and the few that did hit did not cause any fatalities. That attack was in retaliation for the bombing of an Iranian consulate in Damascus, the Syrian capital.
In a video statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country faces “serious challenges” in confronting Iran, but made no specific mention of a possible missile launch.
Israel is on high alert for a possible attack from Iran, although no direct threats have been detected so far, the army said on Tuesday evening. The current tension is reminiscent of the night of April 12-13, when Tehran carried out its missile and drone attack against Israel.
Israel’s military spokesperson Daniel Hagari, who announced that no launches had been observed following the US announcement, warned that “Iranian fire on Israel will bring consequence.” Gallant and the head of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), General Herzi Halevi, are in any case closely following the developments, according to ministry sources.
Following the escalation, the US Embassy in Israel issued a “high-level alert” to its employees in Israel and the Palestinian territories, urging them to return home and be prepared to enter a bomb shelter. The order is similar to the one issued in April.
The fear of Iran’s possible response to Israel has been looming over the region, especially since the assassination of Hamas senior leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran on July 31. Haniyeh was killed in an operation that, as in other instances, Israel never claimed responsibility for, although it bore its hallmark. The possibility that Iran will follow through on its threats strengthened after Israel’s attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon, including the assassination of Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah.
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