The Middle East is once again on the brink of a wider and catastrophic conflict as everything shows that Israel’s response to Iran’s missile attack may take place even in the next few hours, according to what SKAI’s envoy to the Middle East, Stavros, reports Ioannidis.

According to information, the military has submitted its proposal to the political leadership for a strike that will be harsh, will minimize the risks but will be an opportunity to punish Iran.

In the meantime, as the reports that a strike is imminent, the head of the Central Command of the United States (CENTCOM) General Michael Kurila has also arrived in Israel and his presence is not at all considered accidental.

At the same time, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in a speech he addressed to the citizens of Israel, repeated his decision to respond to Iran for the attack with ballistic missiles.

“No country in the world would accept such an attack on its cities and citizens, not even Israel,” Netanyahu said in his speech. “Israel has the duty and the right to defend itself and respond to these attacks — and we will.”

“Iran is behind all the threats against us,” added the Israeli prime minister.

Attack on Macron

At the same time, Benjamin Netanyahu attacked Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, calling his statements today calling for an end to arms deliveries to Israel “shameful”.

“As Israel fights the forces of barbarism led by Iran, all civilized countries should stand firmly by Israel’s side. However, President Macron and some other Western leaders are now calling for an arms embargo against Israel. Shame on them,” Netanyahu said.

It is noted that there had been previous comments by the Israeli army which indicated that it was preparing for the response to the Iranian attack, warning that it would be “serious and significant”.

Israel’s defense forces said Iran’s attack with about 200 ballistic missiles at the country would “have consequences”.

All possible scenarios for the goals

With its vastly superior air force and Iran’s relatively weak air defenses, Israel could strike a wide range of targets if it wanted to, analysts say, including military and intelligence services, senior commanders, oil terminals and refineries, or even nuclear facilities. Israel is also likely to receive help from US intelligence gathered through satellites and other sources, according to US media.

However, Israel will have to balance the potential reaction from Iran, including the risk that Tehran could choose to launch attacks on Gulf states that host US air bases or choose to lay sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz. the narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean through which a fifth of the world’s oil passes.

Military targets

The most likely targets could be any location or facility associated with Iran’s missile attack on Israel this week, including command and control centers, missile launch sites, supply sites and even commanders who oversee its ballistic missile arsenal. country.

Israel could also hit intelligence centers, often located on military bases, in response to Iran’s attempt to strike the headquarters of Israel’s Mossad spy agency on Tuesday.

Energy

Asked whether the US would support a strike on Israel’s oil facilities in Iran, President Joe Biden did not rule it out.

“We’re in conversation about that,” Biden said.

According to current and former senior military and national security officials, Israel could choose to bomb Iran’s oil infrastructure, which is the country’s economic mainstay. If Israel decides to go this route, it remains an open question which infrastructure in Iran’s oil sector Israel will attempt to attack.

Damage to nuclear facilities

Biden said this week that the US opposed any attack on Iran’s nuclear program. But Israel has long warned of the risk of Iran developing nuclear weapons, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may decide the time is ripe to strike nuclear facilities before Tehran’s program goes any further.

The main sites include uranium enrichment centers at Fordow and Natanz, both of which are located deep underground.

There is also a large nuclear center outside Isfahan that oversees a number of activities for the nuclear program, including the production of centrifuge components and uranium metal, which can be used to make the core of an atomic bomb. Other possible targets include a partially constructed reactor plant in Khondab, as well as research centers in Tehran.

US warnings and Israeli hardliners

The US would prefer Israeli retaliation to be directed at military targets such as Iranian ballistic missile sites, drone sites and perhaps against some of the commanders involved in carrying out the attacks against Israel.

Washington would prefer Jerusalem not to strike Iran’s nuclear program or sources that contribute to the country’s economy such as energy and oil.

However, there is dissent within the military establishment, many of whom favor a heavy blow against Iran.