Israel's security establishment is bracing for the possibility that Iran will respond to escalating U.S. military operations by launching missiles at Israel as soon as this weekend, according to assessments from senior Israeli defense officials in Jerusalem.
The evaluation reflects growing concern that as American military pressure on Tehran intensifies, Iran's willingness to strike regional targets—including the Jewish state—will mount correspondingly. The assessment comes as the U.S. intensified its campaign overnight with the first deployment of heavy strategic B-1 bombers in the current escalation cycle.
The IDF's Home Front Command elevated alert levels in recent days, though no changes have been made to public guidance at this stage. Defense officials emphasized that the heightened preparedness is precautionary rather than a concrete warning of an imminent attack.
"This is defensive preparation, not an alert about an immediate threat," a defense official said.
Washington Signals Further Escalation
The United States recently updated Israeli security leadership that it plans significant escalation in coming days, including expanded strikes on Iranian targets using heavy strategic bombers—a marked intensification of the tools deployed in the Persian Gulf.
The advance notification was intended to enable close coordination between Washington and Jerusalem as the region faces the prospect of broader waves of escalation. According to reports, current U.S. policy prefers to keep Israel outside the current escalation loop in the Gulf.
Israeli and American defense officials confirmed that Washington seeks to manage the current cycle without drawing Israel into direct involvement at this stage.
Iran Issues Fresh Threats
Iran responded to Trump administration statements with new threats of its own. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps vowed that if the U.S. strikes Iranian infrastructure, it will target installations associated with Washington throughout the Middle East.
Revolutionary Guard Air Force Commander Moussavi stated that Iran would "cut off the electricity of America's regional allies if roads and power plants in Iran are attacked."
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf added that in a region where the country does not export oil, "no one will sell oil," emphasizing that the Strait of Hormuz "will not return to its pre-war state."
Ongoing Campaign Intensifies
The U.S. maintained its relentless bombardment overnight—the 12th consecutive night of American strikes on Iranian targets. Military Central Command confirmed that U.S. forces struck Iranian military targets including naval capabilities, missile storage facilities, unmanned aircraft systems, coastal surveillance sites, and air defense assets.
According to the command's statement, the strikes further degrade Iran's capacity to attack civilian maritime traffic and commercial vessels.
Israeli defense officials continue to monitor developments closely and adjust preparedness assessments accordingly.
