No Room for Error: IDF Braces for Immediate Retaliation if US Attacks Iran
As American combat power reaches its peak in the Persian Gulf, Israeli defense officials are preparing for the worst-case scenario of an Iranian counterattack while maintaining that public safety instructions remain unchanged.
The United States is expected to complete its massive military buildup in the Middle East in the coming days, placing President Donald Trump in a position to launch a decisive strike against Iran at any moment. While it remains unclear if a final order has been given, the arrival of F-15E fighter jets in Jordan and the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group to the Persian Gulf provide the White House with the firepower necessary for a large scale operation. In Israel, the defense establishment is operating under the assumption that an American strike will trigger a direct Iranian retaliation against the Jewish state. Despite the high level of regional tension and a wave of rumors on social media, Israeli security officials are urging the public to remain calm, stating that there are currently no changes to Home Front Command safety instructions.
Strategic Posturing and the Pursuit of Time
For the Iranian regime, the arrival of American forces represents an existential threat. In response, Tehran has adopted a dual strategy of aggressive military threats combined with a sudden interest in diplomatic negotiations. Israeli analysts believe that Iran’s offer to enter dialogue is a cynical attempt to buy the most precious resource available: time. By dragging Washington into a prolonged negotiation process, the Ayatollahs hope to delay or completely cancel the looming military intervention. However, a meaningful agreement remains unlikely, as the American demands for the total dismantling of the Iranian nuclear and missile programs contradict the fundamental DNA of the regime. Just this week, Iranian officials reiterated that their missile program is the cornerstone of their defense and their primary tool to deter Israel.
President Trump has maintained a calculated ambiguity regarding his next steps. When asked recently about his response to the regime's ongoing slaughter of its own citizens during internal protests, Trump remarked that it would be "foolish" for him to discuss his plans openly. This silence, combined with reports from the Wall Street Journal that Trump has demanded "decisive" military options from the Pentagon, has put the Iranian leadership on high alert. The President’s aides are reportedly crafting plans that go beyond simple tactical strikes, focusing instead on goals that could lead to the collapse of the Islamic Republic.
Israel's Readiness and Public Assurance
As the window for a potential strike opens, the Israeli Air Force is signaling its total readiness for any escalation. During a visit to air defense batteries, the Commander of the Air Force delivered a steadying message intended for both Iranian and Israeli ears. "We learned and produced lessons from Operation Rising Lion, and we are coming to this event stronger," he stated. This emphasis on strength is part of a broader effort to counteract public anxiety. A high ranking security official told N12 that while the military is fully aware of the rumors circulating online, the situation does not yet warrant a change in daily routines for Israeli civilians. "If there is a change, we will know how to update the public in real time," the official noted.
The IDF is currently preparing for the most severe scenarios, including the possibility that Iran will launch long range missiles or utilize its regional proxies to strike at the Israeli home front in the wake of an American attack. With the regional deployment of US forces nearing completion, the transition from military buildup to active war is now purely a matter of political decision and timing.