WASHINGTON — The United States has indications that Iran plans to launch an imminent ballistic missile attack against Israel, a senior White House official told reporters on Tuesday.
“We are actively supporting defensive preparations to defend Israel against this attack,” the official said. “A direct military attack from Iran against Israel will carry severe consequences for Iran.”
Iran threatened to “punish” Israel for its bombardment of Lebanon and the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah last week. Its mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to an Al-Monitor request for comment.
Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Tuesday that the US had informed Israel of the impending Iranian attack.
“At this point, we still do not detect an aerial threat launched from Iran toward Israel,” Hagari said. “We have dealt with this threat in the past, and we will deal with it now as well.”
Citing three unnamed Israeli officials, The New York Times reported that Iran is expected to use unmanned drones and missiles to target three military air bases and an intelligence headquarters north of Tel Aviv that was evacuated Tuesday afternoon.
Iran in mid-April launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel, in what marked the first such attack launched from Iranian soil after a yearslong shadow war between the two adversaries. Nearly all of the projectiles were intercepted, and there were no casualties, although a 7-year-old Bedouin girl was seriously injured.
The US has an aircraft carrier in the Gulf region capable of launching long-range airstrikes, along with several fighter aircraft at bases on land in the region. The Pentagon dispatched additional fighter aircraft this week in response to Iran’s threats, including F-16s, F-15Es and A-10s. Stealth F-22 Raptors also remain in the region and are capable of penetrating Iran’s air defenses undetected.
The USS Georgia, an Ohio-class guided-missile submarine capable of carrying more than 150 Tomahawk cruise missiles, entered the Gulf region earlier this month. It was not clear if it remains there, as the Pentagon does not typically reveal the location of its nuclear-powered submarine fleet.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke to his Israeli counterpart by phone on Monday after Israeli forces launched an incursion into southern Lebanon.
“The Secretary made clear that the United States is well postured to defend US personnel, partners, and allies in the face of threats from Iran and Iran-backed terrorist organizations, and determined to prevent any actor from exploiting tensions or expanding the conflict,” according to a Pentagon readout.
“The Secretary and Minister (Yoav) Gallant discussed the serious consequences for Iran in the event Iran chooses to launch a direct military attack against Israel,” it added.
The US Embassy in Jerusalem issued an alert Tuesday directing all US government employees and their family members in Israel and the Palestinian territories to shelter in place until further notice.
The embassy “reminds US citizens of the continued need for caution and increased personal security awareness as security incidents, including mortar and rocket fire and unmanned aircraft system intrusions, often take place without warning,” according to a statement.
