Washington reportedly believes Tehran could launch drones and missiles in the coming days
Iranians attend the funeral of Revolutionary Guard Corps members on April 5, 2024 in Tehran. © Atta Kenare / AFP
The US is expecting that Iran will attack American or Israeli personnel in the Middle East in retaliation to an Israeli airstrike in Syria, several news organizations reported on Friday and Saturday, citing US officials. Tehran has previously vowed to avenge the seven officers, including two top commanders with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, who were killed in the bombing of Iran’s consulate compound in Damascus on Monday.
A senior official told CNN that the US government believes retaliation by Iran is “inevitable,” and added that the Israelis share this assessment. Officials warned that an attack could come as soon as next week.
According to officials who spoke to NBC News and CBS News, American intelligence suggests that Iran could use “a swarm” of Shahed kamikaze drones and cruise missiles, and that Tehran could target an Israeli diplomatic or consular facility.
The potential attack was discussed during a phone call between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, CNN said.
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There were no major attacks on US personnel in the region since late January when a kamikaze drone killed three soldiers stationed at a remote outpost near the Jordanian-Syrian border. American troops shot down two drones near the al-Tanf base in southern Syria this week, CNN reported, citing US defense officials.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei promised that Israel will “receive a slap in the face.” Officials in Tehran also made threats against the US, although Washington claimed that it was unaware that the strike on Iran’s mission in Damascus would happen.
Israel has accused Iran of aiding Hamas, Hezbollah and other pro-Palestine militant groups and vowed to neutralize any security threats during its ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza. Although Israel did not claim responsibility for the death of Iranian generals directly, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that “everyone who acts against us all over the Middle East” will pay “a heavy price.”