Tensions Rise as Iran Prepares to Attack Israel: 10 Key Points

Tens of thousands of civilians have fled their homes on both sides of the border. Regional tensions have soared after Iran threatened reprisals over an Israeli strike on Iran’s embassy in Damascus that killed two Iranian generals earlier this month. Countries including India, France and Russia have warned their citizens against travel to the region, which is already on edge over the war in Gaza, now in its seventh month.

US President Joe Biden said he was expecting Iran to attempt to strike Israel in the short term and pledged “ironclad” support for Washington’s top regional ally despite diplomatic tensions over Israel’s military conduct in Gaza. A defence official said the Pentagon was “moving additional assets to the region to bolster regional deterrence efforts and increase force protection for US forces.” Washington, which has had no diplomatic relations with Tehran since the aftermath of the 1979 Islamic revolution, also asked its allies to use their influence with Iran to urge restraint.

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had warned earlier this week that Israel “must be punished and will be punished”, days after one of his advisers said Israeli embassies are “no longer safe”. The Israeli military said it had not issued fresh instructions to civilians, but that its forces were on high alert and prepared for a range of scenarios. Iran has missiles capable of hitting Israel directly, and in recent weeks, Israel has bolstered its air defences, which have intercepted thousands of rockets fired by Hamas from Gaza and by Hezbollah from Lebanon.

The Israeli military has called back reservists in preparation for any escalation along its northern border, where it exchanges fire almost daily with Hezbollah.