Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has ordered military officials to prepare for retaliation against Israel.
The decision for retaliation was made after Khamenei, along with members of the Supreme National Security Council, received a detailed report on the extent of damage caused by the Israeli strike on Iranian military positions at the end of October. According to reports, Iran is planning a response that will be “harsh” and “unimaginable,” though the exact nature and timing remain unknown.
Some sources suggest that Iran plans to respond only after the United States (U.S.) elections on November 5th, while other reports indicate that the Iranian reaction could happen sooner. Sources close to Iranian military officials say Iran’s current strategy aims to avoid escalating the conflict before the U.S. election to prevent boosting support for candidate Donald Trump, whom many in Iran view as a threat. On the other hand, Iran’s paramilitary forces in Iraq are reportedly on standby for a potential attack with ballistic missiles and drones, which could serve as an alternative to a direct Iranian response.
The retaliation threats followed an Israeli airstrike targeting Iranian anti-aircraft systems and radar stations on October 26th, in response to an Iranian ballistic missile strike on Israeli territories earlier in October. Iran confirmed that four of its soldiers were killed but claims that the damage caused by Israeli strikes was minimal and that its air defenses managed to neutralize most of the threats. Nonetheless, Israel claims that the operation successfully destroyed a significant portion of Iran’s air defense and ballistic missile production capabilities.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented on the Israeli military operation during a graduation ceremony for military officers at a base near Mitzpe Ramon, stating that the strike provided Israel with “greater freedom of action” within Iran. Netanyahu said that Israel could “reach any point in Iran if necessary,” emphasizing Israel’s military capabilities and its intent to maintain a strategic advantage in the region.
Reports from the U.S. also highlight that Israeli intelligence is preparing for a possible strike in the coming days, which could involve a large number of ballistic missiles and drones launched by pro-Iranian militias from Iraq. Such a move could allow Tehran to avoid a direct Israeli response on Iranian soil, thereby reducing the risk of a more intense conflict within Iran.
Iranian military officials stated that a list of potential Israeli military targets is under consideration. General Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said Iran’s response would be “unimaginable,” accusing Israel of being at the “stage of collapse” and acting “blindly and without rules.”
Following these threats, the Israeli military announced the formation of new divisions within its intelligence directorate and air force. These divisions, it was noted, will allow for “recurrent actions” in Iran, ensuring continuity in operations against Iranian military assets.
Earlier this month, the Israeli Air Force conducted several military exercises in preparation for long-range attacks. More than a hundred Israeli military aircraft participated in the October 26th attack, aiming to destroy Iran’s strategic anti-aircraft systems. This action, according to the Israeli military, has opened up a “free operating space” for the Israeli air force within Iran and has neutralized direct and future threats to Israel. At the ceremony, Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s strategic goal to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, concluding that “Israel will not take its eyes off that goal.”, Klix.ba writes.
E.Dz.
