Israel Prepares For Possible Iranian Retaliation Within 48 Hours: Report

Israel is on high alert for a potential Iranian offensive expected to occur within the next 24 to 48 hours.

What Happened: The anticipated Iranian response is in retaliation to an alleged Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, reported the Wall Street Journal, citing a person familiar with the matter. 

The strike supposedly led to the death of several members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force, prompting Tehran to openly threaten counteraction.

Earlier this week, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) presented Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei with options for striking Israeli interests. The Wall Street Journal reported that IRGC-associated social media accounts have recently posted videos simulating missile attacks on Israel's Haifa airport and its nuclear facility in Dimona.

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Israel has stated its intent to respond to any Iranian attack. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared, "Whoever harms us, we will harm them," during a visit to the Tel Nof Air Base. Israel is currently on high alert and has threatened to disrupt Iran’s cyber infrastructure.

International leaders have also voiced their concerns. French President Emmanuel Macron warned Iran against attacking Israel, and the German and British foreign ministers have urged Tehran to refrain from aggression.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Israel has advised its staff to restrict their movements outside the greater Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Beersheba areas due to the Iranian threat.

Why It Matters: This development follows a series of events that have escalated tensions between Iran and Israel. Last week, Israel-related stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) began to suffer as investors feared a potential conflict with Iran.

Days after this, former U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper predicted that Iran would retaliate against Israel for the airstrike on an Iranian Embassy compound in Syria.

However, he believed that Iran would limit its response to Israeli targets. On Wednesday, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that Israel must face consequences for its actions against the Iranian embassy in Syria. The same day, the U.S. warned of impending Iranian strikes on Israeli targets, causing oil prices to rally sharply.

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Image credits: Anas-Mohammed on Shutterstock.