Iran Threatens Strike On Israeli Soil In Next 24-48 Hours, Says US Intel

The possibility of an attack on Israeli soil by Iran within the next 24 to 48 hours was reported by the Wall Street Journal on Friday, quoting a US official and citing American intelligence reports.

A high alert has been maintained in Israel due to various threats and intelligence assessments indicating a potential strike by Iran to retaliate against the April 1 airstrike on an Iranian consulate building in Damascus, which resulted in the deaths of several Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders, including two generals.

Photo Credit: PTI

Iran Threatens Strike On Israeli Soil - Reports

Israel has been blamed for the strike by both Tehran and Damascus, although Jerusalem has not publicly commented on the matter. According to a US official familiar with the matter quoted by the WSJ, American intelligence reports now suggest an Iranian retaliatory strike within days, possibly targeting Israeli soil rather than Israeli interests elsewhere., as reported by Times Of Israel.

The official indicated that the strike could occur within the next 24 to 48 hours, and Israel is preparing for a possible strike in either southern or northern Israel. However, the same report also quoted a person briefed by the Iranian leadership as stating that Tehran has not yet made a final decision.

The report mentioned that earlier in the week, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) presented several strike options against Israeli interests to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. One of the options included a direct attack on Israel using sophisticated medium-range missiles, according to an IRGC advisor.

Unverified social media posts in recent days have shown Iranian threats of simulated attacks on targets in Israel, including the nuclear facility in Dimona and the small airport in Haifa, which primarily serves flights to Cyprus. However, Khamenei has not yet made a decision on the plans, reportedly concerned that a direct attack could lead to the interception of projectiles and a significant retaliatory response from Israel targeting Iran's strategic infrastructure, as per Israel based media outlet.

"The strike plans are under consideration by the Supreme Leader, who is assessing the political risk," the advisor told the WSJ. Tensions surrounding the potential Iranian attack on Israel escalated on Thursday, with the Israeli military declaring full readiness for an incoming strike, and multiple international actors warning Tehran against a major assault on Israel.

Israel is "on alert and highly prepared for various scenarios, constantly assessing the situation," said IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari at a press conference. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) head, Gen. Michael Kurilla, arrived in Israel on Thursday morning to assess ongoing security challenges in the region alongside IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi.

Iran-Israel Tension Raises Concerns Globally

Additionally, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant discussed the situation with his American counterpart Lloyd Austin, with the Pentagon stressing "ironclad US support for Israel's defence" against Iranian threats. Amid these developments, the French foreign ministry warned its citizens against travelling to Iran, Lebanon, Israel, and the Palestinian territories.

France also announced the return of relatives of Iran-based diplomats to France and imposed a ban on French civil servants from conducting missions in these areas. Iran reportedly signalled to the US through Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian during a visit to Oman that it aims to respond in a way that avoids major escalation and hasty actions, reported TOI.

A White House spokesperson declined to comment on the matter, while a source familiar with US intelligence indicated that Iran has been clear about its controlled and non-escalatory response plans, utilizing regional proxies to launch attacks on Israel.

Preparations for an imminent attack believed to be either from Iran or its proxies have been ongoing with Israeli and US officials across various agencies coordinating closely, highlighted by Kurilla's visit to the region as a demonstration of cooperation between the two countries in response to Iranian threats.

"Our strategic relationship with the US armed forces is strong and tight," Hagari emphasized at the press conference, noting that an attack from Iranian territory would demonstrate Iran's intentions to escalate the situation in the Middle East. The IDF remains prepared to operate as necessary, having upgraded and improved its attack capabilities in recent months.

Hagari stressed that while the defence establishment is preparing for a potential attack, the instructions issued to the public remain unchanged, as reported by Times Of Israel.

"We have a multi-layered air defence capability that has proven itself amid conflict, with thousands of successful interceptions," he said, urging civilians to adhere to existing Home Front Command guidelines and remain vigilant.

Despite the preparations, Hagari noted that no changes have been made to the Home Front Command instructions, while reports indicated that municipalities around the country have been instructed to prepare for potential attacks and ensure public shelters are ready for use, without causing panic among citizens.

Other countries, including France, Germany, the UK, and Russia, have also urged Iran to exercise restraint. Tehran's mission to the United Nations conveyed Iran's perspective that the need for retaliation might have been avoided had the UN Security Council condemned the strike on its embassy compound in Damascus and brought the perpetrators to justice, as per media reports.