US officials believe Israel may have reduced its list of potential targets in response to the recent Iranian attack, NBC reported on Saturday. These targets would now be limited to Iran’s military and energy infrastructure. Israel’s security cabinet is due to meet on Sunday to authorize Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to decide on the scale and details of the Israeli response.
According to NBC, citing unnamed US sources, “there is no indication that Israel will target nuclear facilities or carry out assassinations.” However, officials clarify that Israel has not yet made final decisions on how and when to act.
At the same time, the United States would deploy its THAAD missile defense system to Israel to help intercept possible Iranian ballistic missile threats. The move follows an Israeli request for increased US military presence in the region and air defense assistance.
Israel has repeatedly reiterated its intention to respond to the October 1 Iranian missile attack, launched in retaliation for Israeli strikes in Lebanon and Gaza, as well as the assassination of a Hamas leader in Iran.
For its part, Iran is intensifying its diplomatic efforts with countries in the region to try to limit the scale of the expected Israeli response and possibly obtain protection for the Iranian capital. Tehran’s concern is growing amid uncertainty over the United States’ ability to deter Israel from targeting critical Iranian nuclear or oil infrastructure.
Related News :