Israel Wants to Surprise Iran. “Preemptive Strike,” Everything Goes Down –

Israel would consider launching a preemptive strike to deter Iran if it discovered conclusive evidence that Tehran was preparing to attack, Israeli media reported after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called security officials to a meeting on Tuesday evening. The meeting, attended by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Mossad chief David Barnea and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, was held amid preparations for planned attacks on Israel by Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah.

By some estimates, Israel is unsure what to expect from Iran and its allies and is therefore considering a wide range of options on how best to respond to or prevent an attack. During the meeting with Netanyahu, the option of striking Iran as a deterrent was discussed, although security officials stressed that such a move would only be authorized if Israel received firm intelligence confirming that Tehran was about to launch an attack.

Meanwhile, the US believes Iran could attack Israel within the next 24 to 48 hours. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told his G7 counterparts that Washington believes an Iranian attack on Israel could begin within the next 24 to 48 hours. According to the report, Blinken spoke to his counterparts as the US is working to de-escalate tensions in the region and prevent an all-out war. With the US believing an Iranian attack is inevitable after the killing of senior Hezbollah and Hamas officials last week, Blinken told officials in a telephone conversation that pressuring Tehran to curtail its attack is the best way to avoid a regional war. Blinken noted that the US does not know the exact timing of the planned Iranian attack, Axios adds, but believes it could begin as soon as today.