The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is recalling its top military advisers from sites in Syria in anticipation of a possible Israeli retaliatory attack. This decision comes after Iran launched numerous missiles and explosive drones at Israeli targets following the deaths of seven IRGC officers in an Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.
Israel has claimed to have intercepted most of the munitions fired at it during the weekend attacks, while Iran has reported successful strikes on Israeli military installations. The Journal now reports that Iran is preparing for potential Israeli strikes by mobilizing its air force to intercept attacks and deploying its navy to protect Iranian ships in the Red Sea.
Additionally, the IRGC and Lebanese Hezbollah are reportedly reducing the presence of senior officers in Syria, with mid-ranking military personnel relocating within the country. Military experts suggest that Iran-linked facilities in Syria are likely targets for Israeli airstrikes, allowing Israel to respond without engaging in direct conflict with Iran.
Despite calls from the US and European nations for Israel to refrain from retaliation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asserted that Israel will take the necessary measures to defend itself. While Israeli officials have not disclosed details of potential retaliation, they have reassured their American counterparts of their readiness.
Israeli officials have refrained from providing any commentary regarding the nature of their potential retaliation, although they have reportedly assured their American and European counterparts that the response will not compromise their security and will likely be of limited scale.
Conversely, Tehran has issued a warning to Israel, cautioning against any retaliatory strikes. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has emphasized that even the slightest action against Iran’s interests will be met with a severe, extensive, and painful response targeting all those involved.
In the midst of this escalating situation, the United Nations has expressed its concern regarding the rhetoric in the Middle East and has called upon all parties involved to exercise “maximum restraint.”
