Camila Francisco
The US is currently on high alert, actively preparing for what officials describe as a potentially significant attack by Iran, possibly targeting Israeli or American assets in the region within the next week.
This heightened state of readiness follows 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 officials in the US believe that an Iranian attack is “inevitable,” a sentiment shared by Israeli counterparts. Both governments are diligently positioning themselves ahead of any potential strike, anticipating various scenarios.
They acknowledge the risk posed to both US and Israeli assets and personnel.
The anticipated Iranian retaliation was a central topic in President Joe Biden’s recent phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
As of Friday, neither government had specific information on the timing or method of Iran’s planned retaliation.
A direct attack by Iran on Israel is considered a worst-case scenario by the Biden administration, as it could rapidly escalate tensions in the already volatile Middle East. Such an attack might expand the Israel-Hamas conflict into a wider regional confrontation, a scenario Biden aims to prevent.
Since Iranian proxies attacked US forces in Iraq and Syria two months ago, the region has experienced relative stability after months of drone, rocket, and missile attacks targeting US facilities.
However, an exception occurred on Tuesday when US forces downed a drone near the al-Tanf garrison in Syria.
The Defense Department attributed the drone attack to Iranian proxies. The incident followed the Israeli airstrike on the Iranian embassy in Damascus on Monday.
According to an Israel Defense Forces spokesman, their intelligence indicated that the targeted building was not a consulate but rather a military structure of Quds forces, disguised as a civilian building.
Israel has conducted numerous strikes on Iran-backed targets in Syria, often targeting weapons shipments intended for Hezbollah, a powerful Iranian proxy in Lebanon. However, the targeting of the embassy represents a significant escalation, as embassies are considered sovereign territory.
Israel has intensified its military actions against Iran and its regional proxies since the October 7 attack on Israel by the Tehran-backed Palestinian group Hamas, resulting in casualties and hostages.
Subsequently, Israel’s military operations in Gaza have led to significant casualties, widespread destruction, and a humanitarian crisis.
