Israel is wary of the possibility of a direct attack from Iran, with insiders saying an attack could occur as early as Friday.
The attack targeting IDF positions could involve more than 100 drones and dozens of missiles. Two U.S. officials told CBS News..
The officials explained that it would be difficult for Israel to defend itself against such a large-scale artillery attack, but also suggested that Iran could launch smaller attacks to avoid further escalation of tensions.
An adviser to Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei said on the 3rd, “The plan for the attack is being carried out right under the noses of the supreme leader, who is still weighing the political risks.”
In any case, U.S. experts warned that some sort of retaliation for the April 1 Israeli airstrike that killed seven Iranian military officers is expected to be imminent.
The Iranian government has not publicly commented on the method or timing of the attack, but the ambiguity raises concerns that the war between Israel and Iranian-backed Hamas in the Gaza Strip could escalate into a broader regional conflict. CBS pointed out that it would only inflame the situation.
On Thursday, the U.S. State Department Warning to Americans in Israel Do not travel outside of major cities. Major cities are better protected by the Iron Dome missile defense system.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited an IDF air base with troops on Thursday, insisting that “whoever hurts us, we will hurt them too.”
“We are ready defensively and offensively,” boasted the 74-year-old.
But security expert and former Mossad official Sima Shine told CBS that the latest scenario was the one she had been “most concerned about” for months.
Anxiety about a regional war is likely growing “in both Israel and Iran,” she added.
“They would try to do that against the military or some military assets,” Shine said of potential Iranian targets in Israeli territory.
“But the problem will be the damage. If there are a lot of injuries and casualties…I think it could escalate into a large-scale situation,” she warned.
Shine also stressed that he doesn’t think either side really wants a regional conflict.
He said the real test for Iran may be to carry out retaliatory strikes in Syria in a way that does not further complicate the region.
Shine said Israel may choose to exercise restraint if it responds to Iran’s plan.
U.S. officials are “really trying to avoid war,” Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told CBS Friday morning.
“This is part of our dialogue with countries in the region, including the Israeli defense chief who spoke yesterday,” he said of U.S. efforts to contain the situation.
The US military added: “One of my primary tasks is to not only prevent war, but at the same time ensure that all forces in the region are protected.”
