[ad_1]
Why It Matters: The Israeli government is instructing the IDF to make preparations not because of any information or assessment that Trump will order such action, but because senior Israeli officials anticipate “a very delicate period” before Biden’s inauguration. , January 20.
The IDF’s preparatory measures relate to possible Iranian retaliation against Israel directly or through Iranian officials in Syria, Gaza and Lebanon, Israeli officials said.
Last week, the New York Times reported that Trump raised the possibility of attacking the Iranian uranium enrichment facility in Natanz in a meeting with senior members of his national security team.
Trump raised the idea after being briefed on a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency on Iran’s growing enriched uranium reserves, but senior officials, including Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, have warned of the risks. . regional escalation, according to the Times.
Trump seemed convinced it would be too risky to attack Iran directly, but he considered other options, the Times reports.
What’s happening: Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz has spoken twice in the past two weeks with Christopher Miller, Trump’s acting defense secretary. They talked about Iran, Syria and defense cooperation.
Last Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in Saudi Arabia. One of the main issues discussed was Iran, Israeli officials say.
Pompeo visited Israel and several Gulf countries last week to discuss Iran. State Department officials traveling with Pompeo told reporters that “all options are on the table.”
While Pompeo was in the Gulf, US Central Command announced that the B-52 strategic bombers had carried out a “short and long-range mission in the Middle East to deter aggression and reassure US partners and allies. “This was seen as another sign for Iran.
Hossein Dehghan, an adviser to the Iranian leader and a possible candidate in Iran’s upcoming presidential elections, told the AP last week that a US military coup against Iran could spark a “full-blown war” in the Middle East.
What’s next: Senior Israeli officials say they expect Israel to receive advance notice before any American attack on Iran. But they worry about not being sufficiently prepared. Therefore, the order to the IDF requires that they begin to take preparatory measures in case such a scenario is possible.
