The United States has indications that Iran is preparing to launch an imminent ballistic missile attack against Israel, a senior White House official said Tuesday, warning of “severe consequences” if such an attack occurs.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, stated that the U.S. is actively supporting Israeli defensive preparations. “A direct military attack from Iran against Israel will carry severe consequences for Iran,” the official emphasized.
This development comes amid escalating tensions in the region, with the Israeli military earlier Tuesday ordering evacuations of nearly two dozen Lebanese border communities following the announcement of limited ground operations against Hezbollah.
An Israeli military spokesman, responding to the U.S. warning, said they had not yet identified an aerial threat from Iran but affirmed that Israel’s aerial defense systems are fully prepared. The spokesman added that any Iranian attack on Israel would have repercussions.
The potential for an Iranian missile strike adds a new dimension to the already complex security situation in the Middle East, raising concerns about a wider regional conflict.
U.S. officials did not provide specific details about the nature of the potential Iranian attack or the intelligence leading to this assessment. However, the explicit warning from a senior administration official underscores the seriousness with which the U.S. views the threat.
As the situation develops, international observers are closely monitoring the responses from both Israel and Iran, as well as the potential for diplomatic interventions to de-escalate tensions.
The U.S. warning also raises questions about the effectiveness of recent diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions between Iran and its regional adversaries, including the normalization talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
