Israel-Iran War: A senior US official has revealed that Iran is preparing to launch a ballistic missile attack against Israel in the coming hours. The White House has confirmed it is monitoring the situation closely and is issuing warnings of severe consequences for Iran if it proceeds with the attack.Tehrans retaliation for Israeli assassinationsThis escalation follows a series of high-profile assassinations carried out by Israel, which Tehran has vowed to avenge. The White House believes that Irans retaliation is imminent, prompting US defense preparations to support Israel.“We are actively supporting defensive measures to protect Israel from this attack. A direct military strike by Iran against Israel will have severe consequences for Tehran,” a senior White House official told Axios.Israeli forces on high alertIsraeli sources also confirm that intelligence suggests the attack could happen in the next few hours. A senior Israeli official reported that the US warning came around noon local time (5 a.m. ET). Israel is bracing for an escalation, particularly after its military launched a ground invasion into southern Lebanon on Monday, targeting Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group.Irans motive: Retaliation for Hamas leaders assassinationFor two months, Iran has been threatening retaliation against Israel following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Though Iran has yet to act, the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, a key ally of Iran, could push Tehran to escalate its involvement in the conflict to protect the militia it has backed for decades.US and Israeli ResponseIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held security consultations and issued a statement: “We are in the midst of a campaign against Irans axis of evil. We must stand together. We will stand firm together in the challenging days ahead.”Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Adm. Daniel Hagari confirmed that the US has informed them of Irans preparations to fire missiles, though no direct air threat has yet been detected. “Our air defense systems are fully prepared, and air force jets are patrolling the skies. We are at peak readiness in both offense and defense, in coordination with our US allies.”US Secretary of State Tony Blinken reiterated Americas unwavering commitment to Israels security during a meeting with Moroccos foreign minister, signaling the gravity of the situation.
