US says Iran is preparing missile attack on Israel

A senior official from the White House stated on Tuesday that the United States has evidence suggesting that Iran is about to carry out a ballistic missile strike on Israel in the near future.

The official informed reporters that if Iran were to launch a direct military assault on Israel, it would face serious repercussions. Additionally, they mentioned that the United States is actively assisting with defensive preparations.

A representative from the Israeli military mentioned that there were currently no identified aerial threats, but assured that their air defense systems are prepared.

Iran has not responded right away, but its supreme leader declared on Saturday that there would be retribution for Israel's assassination of Hassan Nasrallah, the head of the allied Lebanese militia Hezbollah.

The alert about a potential Iranian strike surfaced just hours after Israeli forces launched an incursion into southern Lebanon. The military stated that they were conducting operations against "Hezbollah terrorist positions" in border towns that were deemed a danger to people living in northern Israel.

Israel has launched a military response following nearly a year of ongoing conflicts along the border, which were triggered by the war in Gaza. The country aims to guarantee the safe return of residents from border regions who have been forced to flee due to attacks from Hezbollah.

Nevertheless, there are prevalent concerns that the substantial intensification of their ongoing dispute could lead to a full-scale regional war involving both the US and Iran.

During a televised briefing on Tuesday afternoon, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, a spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), stated that the United States had alerted Israel about Iran's upcoming missile launch plans.

"Currently, we are not seeing any aerial threats coming from Iran," he stated. He went on to say, "We've faced this kind of threat in the past, and we will handle it again now."

"Our air defense systems are fully ready, and Israeli Air Force planes are actively monitoring the skies. However, the defense isn't infallible, so it's crucial to keep adhering to the guidelines provided by the Home Front Command."

The IDF Home Front Command previously advised the Israeli public to cap outdoor gatherings at 30 individuals, while indoor events should not exceed 300 participants.

In a video message, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conveyed to the people of Israel: "We are currently engaged in a fight against the Iranian axis of evil."

"We will remain strong and united during the challenging times that lie ahead. We will face these difficulties side by side, we will battle together, and we will emerge victorious."

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated, “We are closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East. The United States is dedicated to supporting Israel's security. As I mentioned, we are attentively observing the ongoing developments right now.”

The Central Command of the US military has stated that they are sending three more squadrons of F-16 and F-15E fighter jets, along with A-10 attack planes, to the Middle East. They also mentioned that one squadron has already reached the region.

This past weekend, the Pentagon announced that it has implemented measures to strengthen the defense readiness of American troops in the Middle East to "prevent aggression." This includes instructing the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group to stay in the area.

U.S. officials informed CBS News, the BBC's partner in the U.S., that any potential assault by Iran on Israel could be just as significant or even greater than the attack that occurred on April 13.

On that day, Iran fired over 300 drones and missiles at Israel in response to a lethal attack on its consulate in Syria, which resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking officials.

Nearly all of them were brought down by Israel, the US, and their Western allies, along with Arab partners, while an airbase in southern Israel experienced only slight damage from the attack.

In response, Israel fired a missile that targeted an Iranian airbase.

U.S. officials stated that Iran has been poised to carry out an attack on short notice since early August, when it announced intentions to respond to the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Israel has not confirmed or denied its involvement in Haniyeh's assassination.

On Saturday, following the death of Hezbollah's leader in an Israeli air attack in the southern neighborhoods of Beirut, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed that Hassan Nasrallah's death would not go unanswered.

He didn’t provide specifics, but mentioned, "The outcome for this area will be shaped by the resistance movements, with Hezbollah leading the charge."

Iran has established a coalition of allied military factions throughout the Middle East that stand against the US and Israel, often identifying themselves as the "Axis of Resistance." In addition to Hezbollah, this network comprises Hamas in the Palestinian areas, the Houthis in Yemen, and various Shia militia groups in both Iraq and Syria.