Israel finalizes defensive and counter-strike plans amid rising US-Iran tensions

Israel’s Military Intelligence Directorate and Air Force have finished planning for a range of scenarios, including defensive deployments and counter-attack options, in anticipation of further escalation between the United States and Iran, officials said. Defense Minister Israel Katz told a conference hosted by Ynet, Yedioth Ahronoth and the Israel Democracy Institute that increased U.S. pressure on Tehran raises the likelihood of an Iranian strike on Israel, and that the Israeli forces are ready to respond in coordination with the United States.

"The more U.S. pressure on Iran increases, and the greater the friction and economic strangulation of Iran, the greater the likelihood that they will attack. We are prepared for that defensively," Katz said. He added that Israel is prepared for both defensive and offensive actions, noting that past attacks have often coincided with Jewish holidays. The IDF has updated its target list for potential strikes inside Iran and is refining operational methods based on lessons from a recent exercise called Operation Roaring Lion, aiming to deliver a rapid and decisive response if needed. The military also prepared for possible civil unrest in Iran, a scenario referenced in U.S. policy discussions. At the same time, Israeli officials said that while sanctions against Iran are intended to deter aggression, they could also provoke desperate attacks if the pressure becomes too severe. The security environment remains tense, with recent incidents including two Hezbollah-launched explosive drones targeting Israeli forces on the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon; one was intercepted and the other detonated without causing casualties. These events occur alongside broader regional flare-ups in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Lebanon, and come as Israel approaches a holiday period and the third anniversary of the 2023 war.