Iran planning ‘imminent ballistic missile attack’ on Israel, US intelligence understands

It comes after Israel’s armed forces confirmed that they have launched a “ground operation” in the south of Lebanon in the early hours of this morning.

There has been speculation that Iran would respond with force against Israel following intensified strikes against Iranian ally, Hezbollah.

The US Embassy in Israel has issued a high-level alert to its employees, directing them to return home and be prepared to enter bomb shelters.

It is the first such order since the Iranian aerial attack on Israel in April.

Just days after the assassination of militant group Hezbollah‘s leader Hassan Nasrallah and a spate of other senior leaders in the organisation, Israeli troops crossed their northern border.

A statement from the IDF confirmed it had started “limited, localised, and targeted ground raids based on precise intelligence against Hezbollah terrorist targets and infrastructure in southern Lebanon”.

Israel said the attack is in the name of protecting Israelis in the north of the country, thousands of whom have been displaced from their homes for some time.

On Monday, Iran said it would not deploy forces to Lebanon or Gaza amid the escalated attacks against Hezbollah.

Naim Qassem – the deputy Hezbollah chief – said that the group was ready to fight and win against the IDF.

However, in an updated decision, CNN’s senior White House correspondent MJ Lee said a White House official said an Iranian attack against Israel was imminent.

In a post shared on social media, she said: “The United States has indications that Iran is preparing to imminently launch a ballistic missile attack against Israel.

“We are actively supporting defensive preparations to defend Israel against this attack.

“A direct military attack from Iran against Israel will carry severe consequences for Iran.”