Israel limited the range of potential targets for a retaliatory strike on Iran, noting military and energy infrastructure, according to US officials.
The region is in tense anticipation of Israel’s response to the Iranian rocket attack on 1 October. According to NBC News, US officials emphasised that the Israelis, despite minor damage after the attack, have yet to make a final decision on how and when to act.
So far, there is no indication that Israel would attack nuclear facilities or carry out any other assassinations. The US does not possess information on when Israel might retaliate, but officials have said the Israeli military stands ready to engage at any time after receiving an order. Aside, there is no word on whether the response will come today, but acknowledged that Israel has not given them a specific timeline.
US and Israeli officials said the response could come during the Yom Kippur holiday. Israel has shared more information with the US about the response, but they have withheld many details for operational security reasons, officials said. US officials continue to urge the Israeli government to respond proportionately by focusing on military targets and avoiding oil, gas and nuclear facilities.
Earlier, Joe Biden urged Netanyahu to focus on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon and appealed to him to end the fighting. Defence Minister Lloyd Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant last night and they discussed the general outlines of the Israeli response, but it was unclear whether Gallant gave any specific details.
UK does not support Israel’s plans for Iran
British officials believe that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, encouraged by his victories in striking Hezbollah in Lebanon, appears keen to pursue a maximalist option against Tehran in a unique attempt to change the balance of power in the Middle East and permanently weaken Iran, The Guardian reported.
UK ministers also remain unaware of what military action Israel is preparing to take or when it will be taken, showing how far the UK is from endorsing an attack on Iran and which de-escalation path it would favour. Reports from Israel indicate that a decision on the nature of the attack has deferred until at least a cabinet meeting on Sunday.
The Liberal Democrats explicitly urged Israel not to attack Iran, Prime Minister Keir Starmer was ambivalent about providing any direct support for an Israeli strike, reminding MPs that British “involvement so far – for example in relation to the attack in April – is related to Israel’s self-defence. When missiles were raining in on Israel that is the support we did provide and would always be prepared to provide.”
British officials even heard concerns from Jordanian diplomats this week that Netanyahu might attempt to take control of the West Bank and push the Palestinians across the border into Jordan. As a consequence, no decisions have yet taken place on how to respond if Iran decides to take further retaliatory action against Israel.
