Targets locked on !

Israeli security sources have informed ABC News and CNN that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved a set of targets for imminent retaliation strikes on Iran, following a significant Iranian ballistic missile attack on Israel on 1st October. Although no specific timeline has been provided, the strikes are expected to occur before 5th November, which coincides with the US presidential election. CNN has reported that American officials anticipate the Israeli response before this date, bringing the Middle Eastern situation to the forefront just days before the election.

Meanwhile, Russia and China have been among the few global voices urging Israel to refrain from escalating the situation. Concerns from Beijing were relayed during a call between the Chinese and Israeli foreign ministers earlier this week, with China also condemning attacks on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) after reports that two UN peacekeepers were wounded by the IDF. China reiterated its stance in favour of an immediate, complete, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

However, amid reports suggesting an imminent Israeli strike on Iran, Russia has been the most vocal in issuing warnings. On Thursday, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov reiterated Russia’s position, stating that Israel must not consider targeting Iran’s nuclear energy sites or infrastructure. As reported by TASS, Ryabkov warned that any “hypothetical” attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities would be “catastrophic” and a violation of existing principles on nuclear safety.

Although Netanyahu has reportedly assured the White House that Israel would limit its strikes to Iranian military targets, there are still indications from Israeli sources that other options remain under consideration.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, pictured, has issued a warning to Israel, stating that Tehran has identified all of its military targets within Israel and will respond to any attack on Iranian territory.

Speaking during an interview with Turkey’s NTV network on Friday, at a regional meeting in Istanbul, Araghchi stressed that any assault on Iran, particularly on its nuclear facilities, would be considered a red line, triggering a significant response.

“Any attack on Iran will be considered crossing a red line for us. Such an attack will not go unanswered. The necessary response will be given to any attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities or any similar attack,” Araghchi declared.

This statement from Tehran comes amid rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, Iran’s regional ally. On Saturday, a drone launched from Lebanon struck the seaside residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Caesarea, a town known for its luxury villas. Although Netanyahu and his wife were not at the property during the incident, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed that the drone, fired by Hezbollah, caused damage to a building in the area.

Netanyahu reacted swiftly, accusing Iran and its proxies of orchestrating the attack and promising retaliation.

“The attempt by Iran’s proxy Hezbollah to assassinate me and my wife today was a grave mistake,” the Israeli leader posted on the social media platform X. “This will not deter me or the State of Israel from continuing our just war against our enemies.”

During the interview, Araghchi also underscored Iran’s stance on what it perceives as Israeli and American aggression in the region. He highlighted ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, arguing that Israel could not act in these areas without support from the United States.

“Israel cannot commit crimes in Gaza and Lebanon without the US. All the weapons used there are supplied by the US,” Araghchi said.

The foreign minister further noted that Iran had refrained from targeting Israeli civilian or economic sites, focusing solely on military objectives. However, he warned that this restraint might not continue if provoked. “We have not attacked economic or civilian facilities… we have only targeted military facilities. Now we have identified all our targets there, and a similar attack on their targets will be carried out,” Araghchi warned.

Our team at Flat Out News have serious reservations on the logic that Israel is pursuing for retaliation against the October barrage of missiles that Iran launched at IDF military infrastructure. With next to no casualties reported, this episode was seen by most analysts as a face saving exercise, albeit, Iran showed it had the ability to strike effortlessly while evading most Israeli air defence systems.

In the event that Iran is attacked in the coming days, it would be logical for Iran to strike back more forcibly this time, targeting Israel’s energy generation, water desalination plants and military infrastructure. Five desalination plants along the coast provide nearly all the tap water for the country’s 9.2 million people and these are powered by natural gas primarily. There are 7 main gas powered electrical energy generating plants and 2 coal fired. Incapacitate these and who knows what options Israel will have left. We need de-escalation and restraint at this pivotal moment in our history.