Worldinfoblog reports that Israel officials who are preparing for a regional war say they will “significantly retaliate” in the coming days to Tuesday’s massive rocket attack. This could include targeting oil production sites inside Iran as well as other strategic locations.
Why is it important? Israel has never been closer to opening a new, more dangerous front of the conflict that has enveloped the Middle East.
- Iran warned on Tuesday that it would attack again if Israel responded violently to the nearly 200 rockets it fired on Tuesday.
- Israeli officials have said that if this happens, all options are on the table – including a strike on Iran’s nuclear facility.
- An Israeli official stated that “We have a lot of questions about the Iranians’ response to an attack. But we do take into account the possibility that they will go all-in, which would be a different ballgame.”
Zoom out: Many Israeli officials believe that Iran’s oil installations are a potential target. However, some also say that targeted assassinations or taking out Iran’s air defense system is possible.
- Israeli airstrikes and clandestine operations could be part of the Israeli response.
Flashback: Iran’s missile and UAV attack against Israel was responded to by a limited Israeli strike on an S-300 battery in Iran and the exchange of direct strikes ended.
- Israeli officials have said that this time, the Israeli response will be more severe.
Driving news: The Israeli security cabinet met on Tuesday in an underground government bunker located inside a mountain close to Jerusalem.
- The first wave of Iranian missiles was heading towards Israel when the meeting began.
- Many Iranian missiles have been intercepted by Israeli missile defense systems and U.S. systems. The missiles that were not intercepted mainly hit open areas around an air force base south of Israel, Mossad’s headquarters and a military Intelligence base north of Tel Aviv.
- Axios reported that an Israeli defense official said dozens of Iranian rockets were fired on the Mossad HQ, but none penetrated the compound.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli prime minister, announced Israel’s next step at the start of the Security Cabinet meeting.
- In a video released by his office, Netanyahu stated that Iran made a “big mistake” tonight.
- “The Iranian regime does not understand the determination we have to defend ourselves, and to take revenge on our enemies. They will. We will stick to the rule that we have established: Whoever attacks us, will be attacked,” Netanyahu added.
- Two Israeli officials stated that the cabinet meeting concluded after several hours, with the understanding that Israel will respond militarily but without any clear decision as to what this response will be.
Behind-the-scenes:A senior Israeli official told Axios that one of the main reasons why a decision was not made at the cabinet meetings was because Israeli representatives wanted to consult with Biden’s administration.
- Israel will respond independently, but it will coordinate with the U.S. due to the strategic implications. The Israeli official stated that a second Iranian attack as a response to an Israeli counterattack would require defensive coordination with U.S. Central Command. It would also require more munitions and possibly other types of operational support from the U.S.
- Biden stated on Tuesday that Israel and the U.S. are currently discussing how to respond to the Iranian attack. The outcome is still uncertain.
- In talks on Tuesday between the Biden administration, and the Israeli government, a U.S. official stated that the U.S. supported an Israeli response. However, the official added that the U.S. believes it should be measured.
- Biden confirmed that he would speak to Netanyahu about Israel’s attack. The call, according to an Israeli official, could happen on Wednesday morning, several hours before Rosh Hashanah.
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