Israel is on high alert as the threat of an attack by Iran or its proxies looms large following the killing of a senior officer in Iran’s embassy in Damascus. Countries like India, France, Poland, and Russia have issued warnings against travel to the region, which is already tense due to the ongoing war in Gaza.
The White House National Security Council has confirmed the real and viable threat posed by Iran. The Israeli military has conducted a situational assessment and approved plans for various scenarios in anticipation of a possible Iranian attack. While the military has not issued fresh instructions to civilians, they have urged people to remain vigilant.
Israel’s foreign ministry has not commented on reports of partial evacuations of Israeli diplomatic missions and increased security measures. The largest daily newspaper in Israel, Yedioth Ahronoth, has warned that revenge from Iran is imminent.
The airstrike on April 1 that killed Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior commander in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, has heightened tensions between the two countries. Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has vowed to punish Israel for the attack.
Both Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and army chief General Herzi Halevi have met with the head of U.S. Central Command to coordinate a possible response. While Iran has signaled a desire to avoid escalation, the risk of a spiraling conflict remains.
Israel has bolstered its defenses in anticipation of a potential attack, with the military calling back reservists and monitoring the northern border closely. The situation remains fluid, with the possibility of further violence looming over the region.