IDF readies Iran strike as official warns war risk rising

Israeli Air Force training sorties over Israeli airspace have increased sharply in the past two weeks, against the backdrop of a growing possibility of military action against Iran. If the political echelon gives the order, the IDF will be required to strike targets across Iran to destroy components of the nuclear program and the defense industries producing ballistic missiles that threaten Israeli population centers.

The security establishment assesses that the final decision will be made only after the US midterm elections, depending on the results and in close coordination with Washington. Behind the assessment stands the clear determination of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz to bring down the Iranian regime.

"The longer we wait, the likelier we go to war"

A security source told Walla that the sensitive period and the tense wait for decisions in the White House and Jerusalem are shaping the military's posture. "The longer time passes, we will have to go through a confrontation with Iran," the source said. "Everything can change, but between a reality where we go to a deal with Iran or we strike, the chance of war is growing."

According to the security source quoted by Walla, the defense establishment is closely monitoring two central questions: what the Iranians will do until a decision is reached, and how they will act regarding acceleration of their own processes. "We are prepared for all scenarios in coordination with the US and regional states," the source emphasized.

The security source told Walla that the IDF is holding continuous situation assessments among the branches, arms and corps, as well as with the US CENTCOM command. "The coordination and updates are daily," the source said. The source added that eyes are trained not only on Tehran but also on its regional proxies, out of concern that in the event of renewed fighting, Iran will compel additional proxies to join. Against this backdrop, sharp warnings have been conveyed to the Lebanese government to restrain Hezbollah, or else "the Israeli response will be severe."

Eastward flight drill and updated target bank

Against the backdrop of the tension, Prime Minister Netanyahu pushed for a resumption of large-scale strikes on Iran, but US President Donald Trump opposed the move before the midterm congressional elections on November 3.

According to a report in the Financial Times, the IDF was already prepared for a multi-day bombing campaign over the weekend of October 10, designed to hit nuclear facilities, power stations and other infrastructure of the Iranian regime. As part of these preparations, the Israeli target bank was updated and now includes infrastructure that was not struck in the past.

At the same time, Fox News reported that IAF fighter jets flew toward Iran over Syrian and Iraqi territory as part of a drill conducted overnight between Monday and Tuesday, during which the aircraft were sent eastward. Matching reports emerged from local sources on the Middle East Eye site, according to which fighter jets were observed over southern Syria and the al-Muthanna province in southern Iraq.

As Kikar Hashabbat reported at the end of September, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir canceled his planned visit to the United States against the backdrop of heightened alert across all sectors. A senior security source said at the time that "you can't put the army on alert and fly abroad."

In addition, the New York Times revealed that the US military and the IDF have completed detailed operational plans for a resumption of large-scale strikes on Iranian territory. According to the report, the planned move is expected to be carried out after the US midterm elections, and includes targeted strikes on nuclear facilities, national energy infrastructure and strategic stockpiles of missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.