Israel is bracing for an imminent attack from Iran, a situation that has prompted the United States to seek a revival of the multinational coalition against Iran in the Middle East. The assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran has fueled tensions, leaving Iran fuming and vowing revenge. Israel is preparing for a multi-front assault, which could escalate into a full-scale war in the region.
Following the assassination, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly ordered direct attacks on Israel. With this backdrop, the United States is aiming to resurrect the coalition it formed in April to bolster Israel’s defense against Iranian aggression. The US has significantly strengthened its military presence in the Middle East, deploying an aircraft carrier strike group, multiple warships, and a squadron of fighter planes to the region. This reinforces the existing deployment of around 80 fighter planes, 40 other aircraft, over a dozen warships, and approximately 4,500 Marines already stationed in the region for several months.
Reports from Axios indicate that both the United States and Israel anticipate a potential Iranian attack as early as Monday. The assessment suggests that Iran might employ tactics similar to those used in April, when Israel assassinated top Iranian commanders in an airstrike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Damascus, Syria. In retaliation, Iran launched an unprecedented barrage of hundreds of missiles, drones, and rockets at Israel. While Israel and Iran have engaged in a protracted shadow war in the Middle East, this marked the first instance of a direct Iranian attack on Israeli territory.
Israeli news outlet Ynet reports that the upcoming Iranian attack could surpass the April assault in scale and scope, with broader participation from Iranian-backed groups like Hezbollah. The report suggests that Israel is preparing for a war on as many as five fronts, potentially triggered by the Iranian attack. Israel believes that a robust Iranian attack would necessitate a strong response and garner significant international support.
Amidst the looming threat of an Iranian attack, the United States is working to revive the coalition that emerged in April. When Iran attacked Israel in April, the US, British, French, Jordanian, and Saudi militaries joined forces to assist Israel in defending itself. This coalition was remarkable in its inclusion of Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, which does not have diplomatic ties with Israel, all uniting with Western nations to support Israel’s defense.
Axios reports that while the United States seeks to revive the coalition, the task may prove challenging due to the widespread anti-Israel sentiment across the region stemming from the assassination of Haniyeh.
