The US and Israel Are in 'Full Readiness' to Counter Potential New Iranian Attacks

The US Secretary of Defense emphasized the 'full readiness' of the United States to defend its forces and allies across the Middle East against 'threats from the Islamic Republic of Iran' in a phone conversation with his Israeli counterpart. Simultaneously, an Israeli source stated that the country is at the highest level of preparedness for a potential new attack from Iran. The phone call between Lloyd Austin, the US Secretary of Defense, and Yoav Gallant, his Israeli counterpart, took place early Friday, November 11, following reports that Tehran is expected to launch another attack against Israel in response to Israel's military operations on November 5 in Iran. Some major American media reports have suggested that Iran may carry out an attack before the US elections on November 15, but the New York Times, citing some 'Iranian sources,' reported that this attack would occur after the US elections. A series of reports on November 10 also indicated that Iran might act through its proxy forces in Iraq to prevent another Israeli attack on its territory; this possibility has also implicated the Iraqi government and military, which collaborates with the US. According to Pentagon reports, the US and Israeli defense ministers also discussed 'opportunities created to reduce regional crises' during their phone conversation. The US Department of Defense referred to Washington's efforts to draft an agreement aimed at achieving a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon to halt their attacks against each other after about 13 months. CNN reported on Friday, citing an 'Israeli military source,' that the country is at a 'high level of readiness' for a potential new Iranian attack. The source added that Iranian officials are still deciding when to carry out a retaliatory attack. The unnamed Israeli source stated that its operations in Iran against missile production facilities and Iranian air defense sites have created a dilemma for Tehran, reducing its ability to launch another attack against Israel and defend itself against potential future Israeli operations. Israeli media reported on November 10, citing a general report from the army, providing more details about the recent operations against Iran. According to channels Kan and 14, and based on army information, over one hundred Israeli fighter jets participated in the 'Days of Response' operation, which included attacks on ground-to-air missile sites in Iran. The report indicated that striking ground-to-air missile sites allowed the Israeli Air Force to carry out its mission concerning Iran. The Israeli army report also stated that Iranian ground-to-ground missiles were another target of the operation on November 5, described as an 'immediate and future threat to Israel.' The Israeli army report is part of a general report regarding the activities of its military forces in the recent war period. However, the report added that the army now has a 'Joint Iran Office' formed in collaboration with the research, intelligence, and air force intelligence sectors, which has held numerous training sessions for its long-term operations. The Israeli Prime Minister stated on Thursday during a ceremony for new army officers that his country has 'greater freedom of action than before' for operations anywhere in the region following the recent operations in Iran. Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that Iran 'will not have nuclear weapons; the nuclear issue is at the top of our concerns, and we will not take our eyes off this ultimate goal.' He added, 'I cannot disclose my plans to achieve this goal.' Netanyahu also stated that two days after the extremist Hamas group's attack on Israeli territory last year, they emphasized that dealing with 'Iran's octopus arms, and at the head of it, the head of the octopus' is part of Israel's agenda to 'change the face of the Middle East.' IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi also mentioned during the ceremony that the country's 'long arms' have reached Yemen and Iran, acting 'precisely and decisively,' and that 'there are still more missions ahead of us.' Meanwhile, Tehran's allied proxy forces in Iraq announced that they carried out four drone attacks against Israel early Friday. According to Al Jazeera, three drones launched from Iraq were headed towards southern Israel, and a fourth attack drone was sent towards the Golan Heights in northern Israel. Israeli media reported on the operations of Israeli fighter jets intercepting two of the drones coming from Iraq over the eastern Red Sea. An Israeli army spokesperson stated that the two downed drones were aimed at reaching the southern port of Eilat but were intercepted before entering Israeli airspace. Drone attacks from Iraq against Israel have also occurred in recent months, but Axios reported on November 10, citing two sources, that Israeli intelligence assessments indicate Iran is preparing to attack the country from Iraqi territory using drones and missiles at the disposal of Tehran's proxy groups. The commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the highest military authority of the Islamic Republic, warned on Thursday that Israel 'will feel the consequences of its recent operations in an unimaginable way.' The head of Ali Khamenei's office, Mohammad Mohammadi Golpayegani, also stated that Iran's response to Israel will be 'hard, regrettable, and crushing.' CNN also reported, citing a senior source on Wednesday, that Iran's upcoming operations against Israel are 'certain and painful.' The repetition of threats from senior military and government figures in Iran against Israel comes while the Iranian Armed Forces General Staff described the damage caused by Israel's operations on Saturday as 'limited.' Spokespersons for the White House and the US State Department have warned Iran to refrain from escalating tensions and emphasized America's steadfastness alongside Israel. The November 5 attack by Israel was in response to two heavy missile and drone attacks from Iran on April 14 and October 2.