IDF, Mossad Approve Iran Strike Plans

April 12, 2024

by: Yossi Yehushua ~ Ynetnews

Friday, 12 April 2024 | Israel on Friday was bracing for a possible attack from Iran, after understanding that Tehran would not back down from its intent to avenge the killing of a senior member of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corp’s [IRGC] Quds force in Damascus last week, in a strike attributed to Israel.

The Israel Defense Forces [IDF] and Mossad [Israeli intelligence agency] approved plans for an attack on Iran in the event that Israel would come under attack from Iranian territory. Additionally, the coordination between the US and Israeli militaries has increased.

A source in the know told the Wall Street Journal that an attack originating in Iran on Israel’s north or south was expected within the next 24 to 48 hours. However, another source claiming to have been briefed by Iranian officials said the regime had discussed an attack plan but had not made a final decision to launch it.

An American official told the paper that the Iranians would likely strike Israeli territory and not an asset abroad.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the IRGC presented optional operational plans to the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. A consultant in the Guards said one of the options was a strike with medium range missiles.

Online social media accounts affiliated with the IRGC have in recent hours posted videos simulating a strike on the Dimona nuclear reactor in the Negev and on the Haifa airport. An Iranian official said earlier that there could be a strike on water desalinization plants and power stations, should Israel retaliate.

Khamenei is concerned that a direct strike on Israel would bring about the wrong result in his view—if Israel launches a massive attack on Iranian infrastructure. “The attack plan has been presented to the Supreme Leader and he is considering its political risk,” the consultant said.

The sources said the Iranian plan includes strikes from its proxies in Iraq and Syria that have been launching attack drones on Israel since the start of the war. Iran and its proxies may also strike the Golan Heights or even Gaza, in order to avoid hitting Israel within its internationally recognized borders.

Another plan under consideration was an attack on an Israeli embassy, with an emphasis on a mission in one of the Arab countries, so as to indicate that diplomatic ties with Israel come at a cost.

According to foreign media reports, Israel has in the past dealt Iran several blows, including the killing of Iranian scientists, and in 2022, an extensive strike against a base housing attack drones in the city of Kermanshah in western Iran. According to reports, there were three rounds of strikes from Israeli drones that destroyed Iranian long-distant attack UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles]. That strike was reportedly carried out with the help of American intelligence and also included the destruction of a logistics center and oil reserves in the base.

Contrary to the combative statements coming from Iranian leaders, Tehran is concerned over an attack on its territory. The message delivered to them was that if they carry out a strike against Israel, the IDF would retaliate inside their borders.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Thursday told his American counterpart Lloyd Austin that if there is an Iranian attack on Israel, the IDF would respond accordingly. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was preparing to respond to its security needs both defensively and offensively.

US CENTCOM commander Gen. Michael Kurilla who arrived in Israel on Thursday, met with IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and visited the Air Force command center in Tel Aviv and is on Friday expected to meet with Gallant and visit an air base.

The IDF Spokesperson said there has been no change in announcements to the public on actions that must be taken to ensure their safety.

Posted on April 12, 2024

Source: (This article was originally published Ynetnews on April 11, 2024. Time-related language has been modified to reflect our republication today. See original article at this link.)

Photo Credit: Khamenei.ir/Wikimedia.org

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