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US officials believe Israel has limited their target Response to Iran’s attackwhat these officials describe as Iran’s military and energy infrastructure.
There is no sign of Israel it will target nuclear facilities or carry out assassinations, but US officials have insisted that the Israelis have not made a final decision on how and when to act.
The region has been infuriated awaiting Israel’s response to Iran’s October 1 missile attack, which it said was a response to Israel’s invasion of Lebanon and the killing of its allies. Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas in Tehranand Hezbollah’s powerful leader, Hassan Nasrallah in beirut
Iran’s attack did little damage to Israel.
The US does not know when Israel’s response might come, but officials say the Israeli army is ready to go at any time. after giving the order.
US officials insisted they had no information to indicate whether a response would be forthcoming today, but admitted that Israel has not shared a specific timeline with them — and it’s not clear that Israeli officials have agreed to one yet.
US and Israeli officials said a response could come during the Yom Kippur holiday.
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Israel has shared more information with the U.S. about retaliation, officials said, but withheld many details. operational security concerns. The U.S. is prepared to defend its assets in the region from any imminent counterattack by Iran, but is likely to provide direct military support to the operation.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant last night and they discussed the Israeli response. However, it is not clear that Gallant provided any specific details. Their call came after an Israeli Cabinet meeting on retaliation, but Gallant did not share the specific targets discussed at that meeting.
US officials have continued to urge the Israeli government to keep its response proportionate, sticking to military targets and avoiding oil, gas and nuclear facilities.
President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not discuss details during the call this week, US officials said.
Biden he urged Netanyahu He focused on the humanitarian situation in Gaza and Lebanon and asked him to end the fighting. The US president also stressed that Israel must consider how difficult it will be to successfully carry out the war in Lebanon and to face the fierce threat of a second front from Iran.
