According to the report, a direct attack on Israel by Iran is expected to be imminent.
The attack could take place in the next 24 to 48 hours and could target either the south or north of the Jewish state. According to the Wall Street JournalThis was reported by a person familiar with the matter.
However, officials briefed by Iranian regime leaders said that while plans for the attack were being discussed, no final decisions had been made, the newspaper reported.
An adviser to Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei said: “The attack plan is being carried out right under the noses of the supreme leader, who is still weighing the political risks.”
The Iranian government has vowed to retaliate against Israel over last week’s airstrikes in Syria that targeted Iranian diplomatic compounds in the capital Damascus.
Seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including two leaders, were killed in the airstrike.
U.S. officials last week suggested that Iranian retaliation against Israeli or U.S. assets in the Middle East is expected and considered imminent.
However, US intelligence agencies now indicate that Iran is focused on retaliatory attacks “possibly on Israeli soil” rather than on US or Israeli interests in other parts of the Middle East, the magazine reported. Ta.
The U.S. Embassy in Israel issued a red alert Thursday, warning staff and their families not to travel outside the country’s center.
“Out of an abundance of caution, U.S. government employees and their families are restricted from personal travel outside of the greater Tel Aviv area (including Herzliya, Netanya, and Ehudah), Jerusalem, and Beersheba areas until further notice.” Announced. the embassy said.
“U.S. government personnel are permitted to travel between these three regions for personal travel.”
The Pentagon confirmed that Gen. Michael Eric Kurilla, the commander of U.S. Central Command, which is responsible for military operations in the Middle East, is in Israel on Thursday.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also spoke with Israeli Secretary of Defense Yoav Gallant and reiterated “the United States’ resolute support for the defense of Israel in the face of growing threats from Iran and its regional proxies,” according to a readout of the meeting. was reiterated.
“Secretary Austin assured Secretary Gallant that he could count on the full support of the United States to protect Israel from an Iranian attack, which Iran has publicly threatened,” a Pentagon statement said. Ta.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned of “harm” to those who attack the Jewish state.
“Whoever hurts us, we will hurt them. We are ready to meet all of the security needs of the State of Israel, both defensively and offensively,” Netanyahu said in a statement to Israel’s southern state. He said this in a speech at an air force base.
