Iran is preparing for war with Israel as it awaits an Israeli response after the October 1 attack. However, its response may be even harsher if Israel targets its sensitive sites such as Iran’s nuclear power plants.

Specifically, according to a New York Times report, Iran, although trying to avoid a war with Israel, is already planning its next steps which will be determined by Israel’s response after Tehran’s ballistic missile attack.

Citing four Iranian officials, the New York Times notes that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has ordered the country’s armed forces to submit numerous plans based on the potential impact of Israeli retaliation.

The officials, two of whom are from the Revolutionary Guard Corps, said according to the New York Times that if Israel inflicted significant damage in sensitive locationssuch as at oil facilities and nuclear power plants, or if it targeted senior Iranian officials, then Iran would no doubt escalate its actions further.

In that case, the sources said, Iran could launch a barrage of up to 1,000 ballistic missiles – a significant step up from the 200 it launched on October 1 – or even disrupt global energy supplies and international trade routes.

However, if Jerusalem were to limit its response to strikes on weapons depots or military bases, Tehran may conclude that it is in its best interest to do nothing, ending the latest round of clashes between the two countries.

Iranian leaders have publicly maintained that they do not seek to enter an all-out regional war. THE Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi went on a major regional tour last week to emphasize this point. However, they fear being seen as weak, the report says, and a strong blow at Israel’s hands could leave them vulnerable and feeling the need to reassert their dominance in the region.

However, it is recalled that the head of the Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami, warned yesterday, Thursday, that even with the help of the advanced American anti-missile defense system, THAAD, which recently arrived in Israel, it will not be able to repel future attacks from Tehran.