The Middle East is on the edge, with ongoing tensions between Israel and Hamas for six months, and now the shadow of war looms large between Israel and Iran.
Any moment could see a strike on Israel from Iran. Anticipating this, Israel has launched preparation initiatives.
Israel has called off all military leaves and has summoned its reserve forces. Additionally, local media reports indicate a reopening of shelters in Tel Aviv, preparing for potential Iranian strikes.
But what's prompting these grim preparations?
The conflict's ignition point traces back to an airstrike on an Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1. This strike claimed 13 lives, including 6 Syrian citizens.
The deceased include Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a key figure in the IRGC's elite 'Quds Force'.
Al Jazeera reports that this marks the second high-profile attack against Iran's top commanders since General Soleimani's killing in February 2020.
Iran holds Israel responsible for the attack. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has vowed a response with regrettable consequences for the attackers.
Source: aajtak
Israel's stance remains shaded in silence
Israel has yet officially to address the airstrike. As reported by CNN, an Israeli commander described the targeted site as a 'Quds Force' facility, which operates missions in foreign nations.
IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Haggari informed CNN that the venue was not a consulate or embassy but a 'Quds Force' building.
The Pentagon's Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh remarked on Tuesday that the United States believes the attack was carried out by Israel.
Iran brandishes retaliatory threats
In response to the consulate attack, Iran accuses Israel and threatens retaliation.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian condemned the attack as a violation of international agreements and diplomatic norms, suggesting Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's mental equilibrium has been destabilized by failures in Gaza.
The Iranian ambassador in Syria, Hossein Akbari, proclaimed that Iran's response would match the offensive. President Ebrahim Raisi echoed the sentiment, declaring Iran would not stand idly by.
Source: aajtak
Does Iran plan a direct strike on Israel?
Former head of Israeli intelligence Amos Yadlin relayed to Reuters that Iran might strike this Friday, either directly or through a proxy warfare.
Through proxy battles, Iran-backed Hezbollah could execute attacks against Israel. Hezbollah has also engaged against Israel in the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
Yadlin suggested that an Iranian attack wouldn't be surprising, reassuring that there is no need for panic as Israel's air defense stands robust.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military is readying itself for an Iranian offensive. Soldiers' leaves have been revoked, and GPS has been blocked in key areas to mislead missiles and drones.
However, experts believe Iran might still avoid an outright war with Israel, partly because of Israel's alliance with the United States, which would provide support in a conflict, potentially putting Iran at a disadvantage.
