Israel expects Iranian attack within upcoming 48 hours - WSJ

• Published date: 12 April 2024
• Author: JERUSALEM POST STAFF
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

The report cited an individual who was briefed by Iranian regime leadership stated, "no final decision has been made" as attack plans have been discussed

The attack is in response to the alleged Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, which killed several members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force. Tehran then publicly threatened to respond to the attack.

A previous Wednesday report from Bloomberg, citing US intelligence reports, said that the US and allies predicted that an Iranian attack on Israel "could be imminent." However, the WSJ cited a source saying that the attack could be "within Israel's borders."

Earlier this week, the IRGC contacted the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei with options to strike Israeli interests, the Journal reported, citing an adviser to the paramilitary force, with the report also saying that in recent hours, IRGC-associated social media accounts posted videos showing simulated missile attacks on Israel's Haifa airport in the north of the country, and its nuclear facility in Dimona which is in the south.

The report also notes Khamenei's concern if an attack could backfire, for example, in a scenario where Israel would intercept its projectiles and then retaliate with strikes on Iranian strategic infrastructure, with an advisor saying that "he is still weighing the political risk." Scenarios of Iran attacking include utilizing its proxies in Iraq and Syria, the report noted, or attacking the country's embassies in other countries, notably those located in Arab countries.

Israel plans to respond

Israel, however, made it clear that it would respond to any Iranian attack, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu...