Israel, U.S. Close Ranks as Iran Threatens Attack

Latest Developments

Israel hosted the general in charge of United States Central Command on April 12 in a show of unity ahead of an anticipated Iranian attack on Israeli soil. General Michael E. Kurilla visited Hatzor Air Base and met Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to discuss “readiness for an Iranian attack against the State of Israel, which may lead to regional escalation,” Gallant’s office said. “Our enemies think that they can pull apart Israel and the United States, but the opposite is true — they are bringing us together and strengthening our ties,” Gallant said after the meeting.

Israel formally moved into CENTCOM’s area of responsibility in 2021, bringing the Jewish state closer to U.S.-aligned Arab powers that share its worries about Iran’s nuclear program and regional destabilization. Israel and its partners are taking seriously threats from Tehran to carry out a direct strike in revenge for the April 1 killing of two Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps generals, and several of their comrades, in a Damascus blast. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied carrying out that attack, which degraded Iran’s ability to coordinate attacks against Israel from Syria and Lebanon.

Britain has called on Iran to exercise restraint, while France and India have warned against travel to the region.

Expert Analysis

“Those who have watched with dismay as the U.S. administration has cooled to Israel over the conduct of the Gaza war might find cold comfort in the fact that Washington has not lost sight of the overarching threat posed by Iran. President Biden said this week that his support for Israel’s security is ‘ironclad,’ and it is to be hoped that the sense of solidarity will prove sustained as a Rafah operation looms.” — Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO

“Tehran is making itself the center of focus and threats, allowing U.S.-Israel political gaps to close more quickly than we might have imagined a few days ago. The White House has unwisely avoided a deterrence and pressure approach toward Iran for three years, but Tehran must now consider whether its actions will provoke an unexpected response.” — Richard Goldberg, FDD Senior Advisor

“Six months into the Gaza war, most Israelis have quietly begun to enjoy a respite from sirens and to-shelter orders as missiles fly toward their communities. Now that has been shattered by Iran. Children who dispersed on April 12 for their Passover vacation were instructed to take all their schoolbooks with them in case a regional war prevents their return to class. Navigation apps have been disrupted around Tel Aviv as the IDF jams GPS as a precaution against incoming guided munitions. People have been stockpiling food and water, and some have also bought emergency generators in anticipation of blackouts. Israel is undergoing a protected stress test, unprecedented in scope, and it behooves its allies to be mindful of this when they criticize its right to self-defense.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

“CENTCOM Commander Lands in Israel Amid Iran Threats,” FDD Flash Brief

“The consequences of US weakness in Iraq and Syria,” by Bradley Bowman and Cameron McMillan

“Israel to Iran: Any Direct Attack Will Be Answered in Kind,” FDD Flash Brief

“Senior IRGC Leader Killed in Damascus Air Strike,” FDD Flash Brief

“CENTCOM and Israel Coordinate on Increased Threats from Iran,” FDD Flash Brief