White House Warns of Imminent Missile Attack by Islamic Republic on Israel

A senior White House official announced on Tuesday, October 2, that based on indications obtained by the U.S., the Islamic Republic of Iran is preparing for an imminent missile attack on Israel. This senior official added that the U.S. is seriously supporting preparations to defend Israel against this attack. He warned that a direct military attack by the Islamic Republic on Israel would have 'severe consequences for Iran.' Following the recent escalation of Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon, a militia supported by the Islamic Republic, tensions between Israel and the Iranian government have significantly increased. Meanwhile, Espen Barth Eide, Norway's Foreign Minister, had previously stated that signals sent by Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of the Islamic Republic, indicate that the Iranian government is not inclined towards a broader regional conflict. In a conversation with reporters, the Norwegian Foreign Minister described the outcome of a direct conflict between the Islamic Republic and Israel as a 'really big war' and added that this has not yet occurred, with the President of the Islamic Republic showing 'clear signs' of the country's unwillingness. According to him, the occurrence of conflict in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah militants is 'exactly the escalation of tension' that has long been feared, shifting the situation from 'a very sensitive state in Gaza and the West Bank to a conflict that has more international dimensions.' Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during his speech on Friday at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, stated that Israel desires peace but faces 'wild' enemies who 'want to destroy us, and we must defend ourselves against these wild criminals.' Additionally, the official account of the Israel Defense Forces on X announced that they are currently conducting a 'targeted attack' in Beirut. In recent hours, Daniel Hagari, a spokesperson for the Israeli army, announced that the attacks by his forces in southern Lebanon in recent months have revealed tunnels and weapons caches of Hezbollah under houses, as well as uncovering their plans for aggression. The spokesperson added that documents discovered under the houses in rural southern Lebanon will be presented to the international community. Hezbollah was established in 1982 by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Several countries, including the United States, Israel, Germany, Serbia, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, and Australia, have recognized the entirety of this group as a terrorist organization. The identification of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization means not distinguishing between its political and military branches and recognizing both as terrorists. Over the past year, following the deadly terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, Hezbollah has targeted northern Israel with rocket and missile attacks. Hamas, another proxy group supported by the Iranian government, massacred at least 1,200 Israeli citizens, including women, children, and the elderly, during the terrorist attack on October 7, and took over 250 others hostage. This group is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Israel, Canada, Japan, and several other countries.