Israeli Army and Mossad Agree on Plans to Strike Iran
The Wall Street Journal reports that an attack launched by Iran against northern or southern Israel is expected within the next 24 to 48 hours
The Israeli army and Mossad have agreed on plans to attack Iran in the event of an attack on the Israeli state from Iranian territory, according to the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper on its website. Intense military coordination is underway between Tel Aviv and Washington despite differences between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to well-informed sources cited by the Wall Street Journal, an attack launched by Iran against northern or southern Israel is expected within the next 24 to 48 hours and a swift response is anticipated.
However, another official said that Iranian officials briefed him on retaliatory measures, stating that Iranian authorities discussed the attack plan but had not made a final decision to launch it due to pressure and warnings from the US side.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant told his American counterpart that if Israel were attacked, it would retaliate by striking Iranian territory, while Netanyahu issued strong warnings himself.
The American newspaper asserts that Tehran will not back down from its intention to avenge the death of a senior member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Damascus last week in an airstrike attributed to Israel that targeted the Iranian consulate in Damascus.
The newspaper cites a US source saying that Iranians are likely to strike Israeli lands rather than assets abroad, as the Iranian Revolutionary Guards have presented optional operational plans to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. An advisor to the Revolutionary Guards said one of the options is to launch a missile strike of medium range.
These developments come as accounts on social media affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards have in the past hours posted videos simulating strikes on the Dimona nuclear reactor in the Negev and on Haifa airport. An Iranian official earlier said that there could be a strike on desalination plants and power stations in the event of an Israeli retaliation.
The newspaper states that Khamenei is concerned that a direct strike on Israel could produce an undesirable outcome from his perspective if Israel launches a broad attack on Iranian infrastructure. An Iranian advisor said, “The attack plan has been presented to the Supreme Leader and he is studying its political risks.”
The same newspaper cites the same sources, stating that the Iranian plan includes strikes from their proxies in Iraq and Syria who have been launching combat drones at Israel since the war began. Iran and its proxies may also strike the Golan Heights or even Gaza to avoid hitting Israel within its internationally recognized borders, those subject to the partition resolution.
The newspaper considers other potential Israeli retaliatory options, including another option under consideration to attack an Israeli embassy in an Arab country, amid tensions between Arab capitals and Israel due to the ongoing war in Gaza, but this would negatively impact Iranian-Arab relations.
In recent years, Israel has carried out devastating strikes against Iranian interests and elements of the Revolutionary Guards, especially in Syria. A number of Iranian scientists involved in the nuclear dossier have also been targeted, as have several mysterious explosions targeting certain Iranian facilities.
Despite threats and warnings, Iran is concerned that an attack on its territory may occur. The message conveyed to them is that if they launch an attack on Israel, the Israeli army will retaliate on its territory.
It is believed that the United States will provide logistical support for any Israeli attack on Iran, prompting CENTCOM chief Michael Corrella to visit Israel.
