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Israel has narrowed down its list of potential military and infrastructure targets in Iran and could launch a retaliatory strike as early as this weekend.
Israel has not yet made a final decision on whether to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities or carry out targeted assassinations, but according to NBC News, US officials believe there is “no indication” that Tel Aviv would go that far.
The Middle East is on the brink of all-out war after Tehran launched a barrage of missiles at Israel on October 1, in retaliation for the killing of a series of leaders of the Hamas and Hezbollah movements, as well as a general of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Iran claims it only targeted military facilities, with no Israeli civilian casualties. The only reported fatality was a Palestinian man who appeared to have been hit by rocket debris.
Israeli Defense Minister Gallant said Tel Aviv's response to the Iranian attack would be "deadly, precise and unexpected."
Other Israeli officials have also pushed for Tel Aviv to launch devastating retaliatory strikes — including targeting Iran's nuclear facilities — while the US wants to limit its response to avoid a wider conflict that could spread across the region.
A source in Tehran familiar with the matter said Iran is prepared to defend itself and retaliate against any potential Israeli attack, adding that Tehran would respond in kind. If Tel Aviv targets Iran's oil infrastructure, Tehran would respond by attacking Israeli refineries. Attacks on other infrastructure, such as power plants or nuclear facilities, would also prompt retaliatory strikes on corresponding facilities in Israel.
Tehran also warned Tel Aviv against any disproportionate escalation. If the Israeli attack harms civilians, Tehran may revise its nuclear doctrine, the source told RT, without elaborating.
