American officials believe that Israel has scaled back its objectives for its anticipated response to Iran, according to a report by NBC News. The officials stated that Israel’s targets will likely focus on “military or energy infrastructure.”
On October 1, Iran launched around 200 missiles at Israel, calling it a retaliatory response to the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut’s southern suburbs, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, and Iranian military personnel in a conflict that has been ongoing for over a year.
Since then, Israel has vowed to retaliate. On Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that the response to Iran’s attack would be “lethal, precise, and unexpected.”
However, according to NBC, Israel is not expected to target nuclear facilities or carry out assassinations inside Iran. U.S. officials confirmed that Israel has yet to make a final decision on how and when to respond. The retaliation could take place during Yom Kippur, which falls on Saturday, October 12.
While Israel has shared some details with the United States about its planned counterattack, it has withheld many specifics due to “operational security concerns.”
The United States is preparing to defend its assets in the region in the event of an Iranian counterstrike but is unlikely to provide direct military support for Israel’s operation. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart Gallant on Thursday, but it’s unclear if Gallant provided any concrete details about the impending attack.
American officials are urging the Israeli government to ensure that its response is “proportional” and focused solely on military objectives, advising against targeting Iran’s oil and gas infrastructure or nuclear facilities.
In a phone call on Wednesday, President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not discuss the specifics of the planned attack. Instead, Biden urged Netanyahu to focus on the humanitarian situation in Gaza and Lebanon and to end the ongoing fighting.
Biden also emphasized the difficulties Israel might face if it pursues war in Lebanon while contending with a strong threat from Iran on a second front.
