American officials stated that U.S. intelligence reports indicate an attack on Israeli targets by Iran or its proxies could be imminent, as the top U.S. military commander in the Middle East heads to Israel to coordinate a response. Iran has publicly threatened to retaliate for an airstrike attributed by Syrian and Iranian officials to Israel, which targeted the Iranian consulate headquarters in Damascus, resulting in the deaths of two leaders, including the highest-ranking Iranian military official in Syria, along with elements of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
For its part, the United States has stated that it was not involved in the attack in Syria and did not receive any prior warning from Israel regarding the planned strike. According to a new report from the Wall Street Journal, it remains unclear whether Iran intends to carry out a direct strike on Israeli targets or use one of its proxies in the Middle East, but an attack on Israeli targets is deemed "imminent" based on U.S. intelligence reports.
U.S. defense officials noted that General Michael Eric Kurilla, the commander of U.S. Central Command responsible for U.S. military operations in the Middle East, is now expected to travel to Israel this week to discuss a "potential Iranian attack" and how the United States can respond. Kurilla is expected to meet with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Additionally, U.S. President Joe Biden stated on Wednesday that Iran "threatens to launch a major attack on Israel." Biden told reporters, "As I informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, our commitment to Israel’s security against these threats from Iran and its proxies is steadfast. Let me say that again: We will do everything we can to protect Israel’s security."
