Israel has decided on targets it could potentially hit in Iran, Israeli television reported on Tuesday, suggesting it is moving closer to responding to the Islamic Republic’s massive ballistic missile attack last month.
According to the Channel 12 news report, the army presented a list of targets to the prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Minister of Defense Joab Galladas it completes preparations, which include “sensitive coordination” with other countries in the region.
The goals in Iran are clear
A report by public broadcaster Kan said “the political echelon” had decided on the targets, without specifying which officials it was or the decision-making forum.
“The goals are clear. Now it’s just a matter of time,” an Israeli source told the broadcaster.
The US is aware of the attack on Iran
The report also said that Israel had outlined to the US the general plans for the attack on Iran but had not yet provided information on specific targets, while a “source” very close to the matter said that “the targets could change at the last minute.”
“The response to Iran is properly prepared”
Israel’s defense minister Yoav Gallant he told members of the right-wing Gvura Forum (Heroism Forum) of hostage families that he sees “with the same eyes” as Netanyahu and army chief Herzi Halevi “both the need and the substance of the response” to Iran. This response, he said, is being prepared “properly”.
Gallant promised that Israel “will respond soon” to Iran. “It will be a precise and deadly response,” he told the families.
Hits on civilian targets?
Both his comments and the TV reports came after the Washington Post reported that Netanyahu told President Joe Biden during a phone call on Oct. 8 that Israel’s retaliation would not include strikes on civilian areas, citing an official who said the strike would be designed to avoid “political interference in the U.S. election.” .
The US factor
According to the newspaper, Netanyahu’s easing of stance was a key factor in the US decision to send Israel an advanced anti-ballistic missile defense system.
Israel has previously been thought to be considering attacks on Iran’s oil infrastructure or nuclear facilities, which the US opposes as potentially escalating the conflict, including Iranian retaliation targeting civilian infrastructure in Israel or other regional states that line up. with the West.
Netanyahu has no limits
Responding to the Washington Post report in a late-night message, the Prime Minister’s Office said Israel’s security needs would override any other calculation.
“We are listening to the thoughts of the US government, but we will make our final decisions based on Israel’s national security needs,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.
The phone call between Netanyahu and Biden
Earlier reports suggested that the phone call between Netanyahu and Biden, the first in about two months, had helped bring Washington and Jerusalem closer on the issue of Iran.
However, an official cited by Axios said Israel’s planned response is still more aggressive than the US would prefer.
Source: The times of Israel
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