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Israel Worries Iran Missile Tests are Cover for Strike | WATCH
Iran is holding tests and drills this week, with citizens sharing videos of missiles in the skies above them. While all Iranian development is concerning, Israel has informed US officials of concerns that the tests are a cover for renewed strikes on the country.
Israel has warned the United States that Iran may be using an ongoing Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps missile exercise as cover for a possible attack, according to Israeli and U.S. sources cited in a report published Sunday. While U.S. intelligence does not assess that an Iranian strike is imminent, Israeli officials say they are unwilling to dismiss the risk following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack.
According to the report, Israel has adopted a far lower tolerance for uncertainty in the wake of the failures surrounding October 7. Israeli intelligence believes recent Iranian missile movements, officially described as part of a military drill, could also enable a surprise launch. An Israeli source said the likelihood of an Iranian strike was “less than 50 percent,” but added that Jerusalem is unwilling to assume the activity is purely an exercise.
U.S. intelligence officials, however, told the outlet they have seen no concrete indicators suggesting an imminent Iranian attack. American officials assess that while Iran continues to rebuild its military capabilities following the June war with Israel, current activity does not point to an immediate escalation.
The report said the greatest danger lies in a potential miscalculation, with either side interpreting defensive or preparatory steps as offensive intent and acting preemptively.
Israeli military officials raised the issue directly with Washington over the weekend. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir held a call with the head of U.S. Central Command on Saturday to discuss Israeli concerns regarding the missile exercise. The two met in Tel Aviv on Sunday, where Zamir urged close coordination between U.S. and Israeli forces on defensive preparations.
Publicly, Zamir warned that the IDF would strike Israel’s enemies “wherever required, on near and distant fronts alike,” remarks widely interpreted as a reference to Iran. He accused Tehran of financing and directing the regional network of terror groups targeting Israel.
The report also noted growing Israeli concern that Iran is rebuilding its ballistic missile program more aggressively following the June conflict. Israeli intelligence estimates Iran ended the war with roughly 1,500 missiles and 200 launchers, down significantly from prewar levels. While Iran has begun replenishment efforts, Israeli officials believe it has not yet returned to its previous capacity.
Israeli military intelligence and the Mossad reportedly assess that Iran’s current pace of rearmament does not require immediate military action, but warn the issue could become more urgent in the coming months.
The IDF declined to comment on the report, and U.S. Central Command did not respond to requests for comment.