Tel Aviv — Israel is preparing for a potential direct attack on its soil by Iran in response to a recent strike that killed seven Iranian military officers. Iran has promised to retaliate for the attack on its commanders, who were targeted in a strike on the Iranian embassy in Syria's capital on April 1.
According to reports from two U.S. officials, a significant Iranian assault on Israel could occur as early as Friday. The attack may involve over 100 drones and numerous missiles targeting military sites within the country. The officials noted that defending against such a large-scale attack would be challenging for Israel. While there is a possibility that Iran may choose a smaller-scale attack to prevent a major escalation, the retaliation is anticipated to happen soon.
Tehran has not indicated publicly how or when it will return fire — so it's unclear how far Iran's leaders will go. If they decide to carry out a direct attack on Israel, there's fear it could blow Israel's ongoing war against Iranian ally Hamas up into a much wider regional conflict.
With the Iranian retaliation expected at any time, the U.S. State Department on Thursday warned Americans in Israel not to travel outside major cities, which are better protected from incoming rocket fire by the country's Iron Dome missile defense system. The latest guidance noted that travel by U.S. government employees in Israel could be further restricted with little notice as things develop in the tinderbox region.
"Whoever harms us, we will harm them," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Thursday as he visited troops at an Israel Defense Forces airbase. "We are prepared… both defensively and offensively."
Sima Shine, a security expert and former official with Israel's national intelligence agency Mossad, told CBS News it was a dangerous moment for the region, and the "most worried" she has been. She said anxiety over an all-out war was likely just as high "on both sides, in Israel and in Iran."
If Iran does chose to strike Israel directly, it could involve a complex missile and drone attack similar to the one Iranian forces launched against a Saudi oil facility in 2019.
"They will try to do it on the military or some military asset," Shine predicted. "But the question will be the damage. If there would be many injured people, killed or injured… I think it has the potential for a huge escalation."
Shine stressed, however, that she still believes neither side actually wants a regional conflict.
The dilemma for Iran, she said, is to figure out how to deliver its promised response to the Israeli attack, but in a way that does not lead to further escalation. Likewise, Shine said Israel could choose to show restraint when it responds to whatever Iran eventually does.
If either side gets the balance wrong, the consequences for the region, and even the world, could be dire.
