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Is Iran's attack on Israel imminent? US hints at Tehran's preparations

The US warned Iran of “severe consequences” if it carried out a direct attack against Israel

Smoke billows after an Israeli Air Force air strike on a village in southern Lebanon, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, as seen from northern Israel | Reuters

Amid Israel's ground incursion on Lebanon against Hezbollah, the United States intelligence units had indicated an imminent ballistic missile attack by Iran on Israel. 

With Israel on an all-out war against Iran-backed Hezbollah, Tehran vowed retaliation. A statement released by a senior White House official said, “Iran is preparing to imminently launch a ballistic missile attack against Israel.” 

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It also added, “We are actively supporting defensive preparations to defend Israel against this attack.” 

The US warned Iran of “severe consequences” if it carried out a direct attack against Israel.

Following the death of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah after an Israeli-targeted strike on Beirut, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was moved to a safe location with increased security measures. 

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With Israel tightening its grip on Hezbollah in Lebanon, Middle East tensions have escalated. Global pressure is mounting on Israel for a ceasefire to calm things down. 

Meanwhile, with Iran’s imminent attack looming, Israel's military spokesperson said that its defence systems are fully prepared for any attack. “There is no threat at present,” he said. 

After the walkie-talkie blasts, an Iranian MP Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani claimed that a pager blast led to the helicopter crash that led to the death of former president Ebrahim Raisi in May. 

Also, Israel's involvement in killing top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran had angered Tehran vowing severe retaliation against Tel Aviv. 

In April, when Iran launched a series of drones and missiles towards Israel, the US offered its assistance. During the strike then, majority of the missiles were successfully intercepted.

Also, IDF on Tuesday in a message on Telegram said that Israel's military is calling up "four additional reserve brigades for operational missions in the northern area." 

Israel's military spokesperson had said Israel would do "whatever necessary" to avoid a 7th-October-like attack again on "any one of our borders". 

After Israel's intensified attacks on Hezbollah, Iran urged all resistance groups to join together and support.