In the phone call, Gallant interpreted Iran’s military preparations as an indication of an impending major attack, reports the US news site Axios, citing people familiar with the matter.
The Israeli defense minister’s assessment is based on current observations of Iranian military activities. Further details about the conversation between Gallant and Austin are not yet known. Israeli intelligence is assuming that Iran has decided to attack Israel directly. Israel also assumes that this may happen in the next few days, reports a reporter from the media portal Axios, citing two sources. The attack would be retaliation for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Hanijeh in the Iranian capital Tehran at the end of July, it was said.
Submarine movements made public
In view of increasing tensions in the Middle East, the USA is increasing its military presence in the region. US Secretary of Defense Austin ordered the deployment of a submarine with guided missiles, the Pentagon announced. In an unusual move, the US Department of Defense made the movements of the submarine public. In addition, Austin ordered the Abraham Lincoln Task Force to accelerate its deployment to the area. The US Navy’s maritime unit consists of an aircraft carrier, an air wing unit and several escort ships.
Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement in Hanijeh’s death. Israeli Defense Minister Gallant had previously warned Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia against retaliatory strikes. “Anyone who harms us in a way that has not been done in the past will probably be hit in a way that has not been done in the past,” Gallant said. Israel is fighting for its existence in a hostile environment.
Israel prepares for retaliation
After the killing of a military commander of the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon and a leader of the organization’s allied Islamist Hamas in Iran, Israel is bracing for a threatened retaliatory strike. “I hope they think this through and don’t get to a point where they force us to inflict significant damage and increase the likelihood of war breaking out on other fronts,” Gallant said. “We don’t want that, but we have to be prepared.”
According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, two people died in a suspected Israeli attack in Lebanon. They were members of the Hezbollah militia, according to Lebanese security sources. The incident reportedly occurred in the border town of Taibe. Israel’s army announced that it had attacked members of the Lebanese Hezbollah in the area.
According to reports, Israeli forces attacked further targets of the pro-Iranian organization in the neighboring country. At the same time, numerous projectiles from Lebanon hit Israeli territory. There were initially no reports of injuries.
