The United States is currently on high alert and actively preparing for what officials describe as a “significant” attack by Iran, possibly within the next week.
The anticipated strike, likely from Iran, is expected to target Israeli or American assets in the region in response to Monday’s Israeli strike in Damascus, which resulted in the deaths of top Iranian commanders, according to a senior administration official speaking to CNN.
Senior US officials, along with their Israeli counterparts, believe that an attack by Iran is inevitable and are intensifying preparations in anticipation of various potential scenarios.
President Joe Biden’s recent phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu centered on discussions regarding the forthcoming Iranian retaliation.
As of the latest updates, neither government has precise intelligence on the timing or method of Iran’s planned strike.
The prospect of a direct attack on Israel by Iran is a deeply concerning scenario for the Biden administration, as it could trigger a rapid escalation of tensions in the already volatile Middle East.
Such an attack might exacerbate the Israel-Hamas conflict, potentially leading to a wider regional conflagration, a situation Biden has been keen to avoid.
While there has been a relative period of stability in the region following previous attacks by Iranian proxies on US forces in Iraq and Syria, recent events have reignited tensions.
The shooting down of a drone near al-Tanf garrison in Syria, attributed to Iranian proxies, serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat.
The Israeli airstrike on the Iranian embassy in Damascus represents a significant escalation in hostilities. Although Israel has conducted numerous strikes on Iran-backed targets in Syria, the direct targeting of an embassy is unprecedented and has raised alarms.
Iran has vowed retaliation for the strike, which resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking officials, including Mohammed Reza Zahedi, a top commander in Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards (IRGC).
The killing of Zahedi marks one of the most high-profile Iranian casualties since the assassination of IRGC Gen. Qassem Soleimani in 2020.
In response to Iran’s threats, the United States has explicitly stated that it had no prior knowledge or involvement in the Israeli strike.
US officials have warned Iran against using the incident as a pretext to attack American assets, emphasizing the need to avoid further escalation.
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