Israel May Face Attack From Iran In Next 24 To 48 Hours: Antony Blinken

As tensions escalate in the Middle East, the United States has raised concerns about a potential attack by Iran and Hezbollah on Israel, which could commence as early as Monday, according to an Axios report.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reportedly warned G7 counterparts about this imminent threat during a conference call, aiming to coordinate with allies and apply diplomatic pressure on Iran and Hezbollah to avert a broader regional conflict.

Although Blinken did not specify an exact timeframe, he indicated that an attack could occur at any moment starting Monday.

In a related development, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart on Sunday, affirming Israel's right to self-defense against threats from Iran and its proxies.

Austin also discussed measures the U.S. is taking to enhance protection for Israel and its own forces in the region.

President Joe Biden is expected to convene his national security team on Monday to assess the situation in the Middle East. Additionally, the President plans to speak with Jordan's King Abdullah as part of his diplomatic efforts.

Amid these tensions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after a high-level meeting with military officials, is reportedly considering a preemptive strike against Iran if substantial evidence emerges that Tehran is preparing an attack.

The meeting, attended by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi, Mossad head David Barnea, and Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar, explored the possibility of such a strike.

However, security officials expressed reservations, suggesting that a preemptive strike would only be warranted if clear intelligence indicates that Iran is on the brink of launching its own attack.

Netanyahu stated on Saturday, "Israel is in a multifront war against Iran's axis of evil. We are striking every one of its arms with great force. We are prepared for any scenario-both offensively and defensively."

Speculation about an impending attack by Iran on Israel has intensified following last week's assassinations of Hezbollah military chief Fuad Shukr in Beirut and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Iran has blamed Israel for these incidents and vowed retaliation, further fueling fears of a wider conflict.