Israel Signals it Will Bomb Iran Directly if Attacked

April 10, 2024

by: JNS

Wednesday, 10 April 2024 | Israel will strike targets in Iran if the Islamic Republic retaliates for the targeted killing of an Iranian general on April 1, London-based newspaper Elaph reported on Monday.

A Western security official told the Arabic language paper that Israel has conducted secret air force training in recent days, involving long-distance flights and practicing targeting sensitive sites in Iran that may be tied to that country’s nuclear project.

Senior sources in the Iranian regime told Reuters on April 4 that Tehran would provide a “serious response” to the killing of its high-ranking commander, suggesting however that it would seek to avoid a direct clash with Israel and the US.

Israel has not officially taken responsibility for the attack, which killed Brig. Gen. Mohammad Zahedi, but four officials told the New York Times that Jerusalem ordered the strike.

An adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Sunday that Israeli embassies are no longer safe, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported.

An Iranian retaliatory attack could include “a swarm of Shahed loitering drones and cruise missiles,” according to US intelligence, CBS News reported on April 5. US officials said that the timing of the attack is unknown but that it could take place by the end of Ramadan [one of the Five Pillars of Islam when stringent disciplines are observed], which wraps on Tuesday.

Several Israeli embassies around the world have been temporarily closed, diplomats recalled and officials told not to come to consular buildings for fear of an Iranian attack.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Sunday that Israel is ready for any scenario that may develop regarding a threatened Iranian response.

The Israel Defense Forces [IDF] has been placed on high alert, resulting in combat soldiers’ weekend leaves being canceled and the military calling up additional reserve soldiers to the IDF Aerial Defense Array.

Posted on April 10, 2024

Source: (This article was originally published by the Jewish News Syndicate on April 10, 2024. Time-related language has been modified to reflect our republication today. See original article at this link.)

Photo Credit: Moshe Shai/Flash90/jns.org