US Prepares for Iranian Strike on Israel Amid Rising Tensions, as Israel Contemplates Preemptive Measures, Moves Leaders to New Nuclear Bunker

Hebrew media reported Sunday evening that Israel would consider launching a preemptive strike to deter Iran if it uncovered airtight evidence that Tehran was preparing to mount an attack. The reports came after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened Israel’s security chiefs. The meeting included Gallant, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Mossad head David Barnea, and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar.

Israel is uncertain about what to expect from Iran and its proxies and is discussing a wide range of options on how to best respond to, or prevent, an anticipated assault. During the meeting with Netanyahu, the option of striking Iran as a deterrent measure was discussed, although security officials stressed that such a move would only be authorized if Israel received definite intelligence confirming that Tehran was about to launch an attack of its own. Jerusalem would require its intelligence to match up with US intelligence on the matter, and even if it did match, it may still choose to avoid a preemptive strike.

Amos Yadlin, former head of Israeli Military Intelligence, stated, “Israel must prepare for any eventuality and ensure that it has the necessary intelligence to act decisively if needed.”US President Joe Biden is set to gather his national security team in the situation room on Monday to discuss the escalating tensions in the Middle East, with intelligence indicating that an Iranian attack on Israel may be imminent. The White House has also confirmed that Biden will speak with Jordan’s King Abdullah to address the unfolding crisis.

Meanwhile, Israeli sources reveal that a new nuclear bunker in Jerusalem has been opened and is prepared to accept the Israeli leadership in the event of an imminent war.

The urgent consultations come after Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi’s rare visit to Iran, part of a broader diplomatic effort involving the US and its allies, including France, Britain, Italy, and Egypt, to prevent further escalation. Safadi emphasized the importance of “peace, security, and stability” in the region, calling for de-escalation.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken informed G7 counterparts on Sunday that Washington believes an Iranian attack on Israel could begin within the next 24 to 48 hours, Axios reported, citing sources briefed on the call. Blinken mentioned that the US does not know the exact timing of the planned Iranian attack but believes it could start as early as Monday.

In a statement, the G7 urged restraint and de-escalation in the Middle East, emphasizing that recent events “threatened to ignite a broader conflict in the region.” The G7 called on “all involved parties once again to refrain from perpetuating the current destructive cycle of retaliatory violence, to lower tensions and engage constructively toward de-escalation.”

The assessment that Iran is likely to attack Israel in the coming days or weeks follows last week’s back-to-back assassinations of Hezbollah military chief Fuad Shukr in Beirut by an Israeli strike and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Iran has blamed Israel for Haniyeh’s death and has vowed to retaliate.

Blinken spoke with his counterparts amid efforts by the US to de-escalate tensions in the region and prevent the eruption of an all-out war. Blinken stressed that pressuring Tehran to limit its assault is the best way to avoid regional war. “We are urging all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any actions that could escalate the situation further,” Blinken said.

Israel and the US are unsure what an attack by Iran could look like, believing Tehran has yet to come to a final decision and is unlikely to have finished coordinating with its proxies. Israeli officials have reportedly conceded that there may be damage and casualties.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Sunday evening. The two discussed Israel’s right to self-defense against threats from Iran and its proxies and the steps that the US is taking to bolster protection for Israel and its forces in the region. Gallant briefed Austin on the “security developments in the region and IDF readiness to defend Israel against potential threats posed by Iran and its proxies.” He discussed a series of scenarios and corresponding defensive and offensive capabilities.

Gallant “expressed his appreciation to Secretary Austin for the close military and strategic coordination between Israel and the United States, including the current and future deployment of US military capabilities and force posture changes in defense of Israel,” and “highlighted the importance of US leadership in forming a coalition of allies and partners to defend Israel and the region from a range of aerial attacks,” the readout added.

General Kurilla’s trip to the region, where he has been since Saturday, was planned before the recent developments that stoked the threat of war. However, he is now expected to cobble together the same coalition of forces that helped thwart Iran’s past direct attack on Israel, according to a US official.