Jerusalem: As tensions escalate in the Middle East, reports have surfaced suggesting that Israel is preparing for a significant military strike on Iran. According to The New York Times, leaked documents from a US intelligence agency reveal that Israel’s next target could be Iran, following the recent killing of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar.
The leaked intelligence comes from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), a US body responsible for satellite imagery and analysis. The documents reportedly show Israeli military exercises and preparations for a large-scale attack on Iran. Shared across pro-Iranian Telegram accounts in mid-October, the documents detail Israel’s military build-up and its readiness for potential action against Iran.
US Intelligence Leak Fuels Concerns of Imminent Israeli Strike
The leak is significant, especially given the rising tensions between Israel and Iran. One of the leaked documents, titled “Israel: Air Force Continues Preparing for Attack on Iran,” outlines various military activities, including air-to-air refuelling missions, search and rescue operations, and repositioning missile defences in anticipation of a possible Iranian response.
A second document reportedly shows the strategic movement of Israeli weapons and military assets to key locations, further suggesting that Israel is gearing up for a large military offensive.
The NGA’s satellite images captured Israeli military preparations in early October, indicating that the country may be preparing to retaliate for Iran’s missile attack on Israel on 1 October 2024, which involved the firing of nearly 200 missiles. Although Israel has not yet responded directly to that attack, the leaked documents have intensified speculation that an Israeli strike could be imminent.
US Agencies Investigating the Leak
The leak has triggered a joint investigation by US intelligence agencies and the FBI to determine how the classified information was released and whether more documents could potentially be exposed. The leak raises security concerns, particularly amid the volatile situation in the Middle East, where both Israel and Iran have been engaged in a long-standing conflict.
Escalating Israel-Iran Tensions
The release of these documents comes after Israel’s successful operation that led to the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, responded to Sinwar’s death by stating that Hamas is not defeated, warning that Israel may shift its focus towards Iran next.
With growing military posturing on both sides, the world is watching closely to see how this situation unfolds. A significant Israeli strike on Iran could have far-reaching consequences, drawing in regional and global powers into the conflict.
As both nations remain on high alert, this intelligence leak adds yet another layer of complexity to an already tense geopolitical situation in the Middle East.
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