(NewsNation) — Iran could attack Israel within days, according to a new assessment from the Israeli intelligence community.
First reported by Axios political reporter Barak Ravid, two sources in the community believe Iran plans to “attack Israel directly” in retaliation “for the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh,” according to Ravid.
An Iranian retaliation may occur “even before the August 15 hostage deal talks,” Ravid added.
Drafted in the last 24 hours, this assessment represents a shift from Iran’s previous plans. On Friday, Iran’s mission to the United Nations said in a statement that “we hope that our response will be timed and conducted in a manner not to the detriment of the potential ceasefire.”
According to a source with knowledge of a call between Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Israel believes Iran is preparing for a large-scale attack, Ravid reports.
He later clarified that one source believes the situation is “still fluid.”
Reuters and the Jerusalem Post have also reported on an imminent attack by Iran, citing two sources familiar with the matter.
“We are committing to helping Israel defend itself, and we have put robust military capabilities in the region to do just that,” State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said at a Monday press briefing. “At the same time, we continue to work diplomatically to prevent any major escalation of the conflict, those are our goals.”
US sends guided missile sub: Pentagon
A guided missile submarine will head to the Middle East due to rising tensions between Israel, Iran and Lebanon, as ordered by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday evening, Reuters reports.
In a statement, the Pentagon said it has also ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group to speed up its deployment to the area. The aircraft carrier was originally supposed to reach the middle east by the end of the month.
IDF: Lebanon launches 30 rockets
Lebanon launched 30 rockets toward northern Israel overnight, according to a post on the Israel Defense Force’s Hebrew-language X account. No casualties have been reported.
IDF is reportedly “striking sources of fire” following the attack, the post said.
According to The Times of Israel, Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for the projectiles, per its affiliated Al Mayadeen site.
Iran, Hamas blame Israel for Haniyeh’s death
Haniyeh was killed on July 31 in Iran, by a presumed Israeli strike. Israel has not claimed or denied responsibility for the killing.
Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind of the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel, has since been appointed as Hamas’ new leader.
Expected retaliation for the leader’s passing has heightened tensions in the region, with world leaders hopeful the attacks will not occur before the next round of cease-fire discussions.
Iranian leaders promise revenge
In a statement to Reuters, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned Iran and its Lebanon-based proxy Hezbollah: “Whoever harms us in a way that has not been done in the past, is likely to be hit in a way that hasn’t been done in the past.”
Cited by Iranian media, Revolutionary Guards deputy commander Ali Fadavi said on Friday that the Iranian supreme leader’s orders regarding the harsh punishment of Israel and revenge for Haniyeh are clear and will be implemented in the “best possible way”.
China supports potential Iranian retaliation
According to a statement by China’s foreign ministry, the republic supports Iran in defending its “sovereignty, security and national dignity.” Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi shared this support via phone call with Iran’s acting foreign minister, Ali Bagheri Kani, on Sunday.
Wang told Kani that the killing of Haniyeh had “directly undermined the Gaza ceasefire negotiation process and undermined regional peace and stability,” China’s foreign ministry said.
Reuters contributed to this report. This is a developing story, refresh for updates.
