A White House official warned that the US had indications Iran was preparing an imminent ‘ballistic missile attack’ against Israel – which can cover more than 5,500 kilometers of area
As Israeli forces launch more deadly air raids across Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, the US says it has indications that Iran is now preparing an imminent missile attack against Israel.
According to CNN’s senior White House correspondent, MJ Lee, a White House official said an Iranian attack against Israel was imminent. In a post shared on X/Twitter, 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. The US expects that the potentially forthcoming Iran attack on Israel could be similar in scope and scale as the attack back in April, per US official.”
A ballistic missile is a rocket-powered missile that can cover more than 5,500 kilometres of area if fired at “intercontental range”. The rockets can also be fired at medium-range (1,000–3,000 kilometres), intermediate-range (3,000–5,500 kilometres).
They are often used to carry out strategic and long-range attacks. The missiles, which can carry either conventional or nuclear warheads, are often shot at a high arc trajectory towards its target, but is unpowered and unguided during its descent.
News of the possible missile strike comes as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah escalates even further. Last night, Israel said its troops had entered southern Lebanon to carry out what it called a “limited” raid. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the country’s invasion of southern Lebanon. According to Axios political reporter Barak Ravid, Netanyahu said: “We are in the midst of a campaign against Iran’s axis of evil. We must stand together. We will stand firm together in the challenging days ahead.”
Meanwhile Lebanon’s Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, says Lebanon faces “one of the most dangerous phases of its history”. Around 1,000 people in Lebanon have been killed, roughly 6,000 wounded and one million displaced from their homes as a result of Israeli attacks in recent days.
Israeli attacks have also continued on the Gaza Strip, where at least 41,638 people have been killed and 96,460 injured in Israeli attacks since October last year. At least 1,139 people were killed in the Hamas-led attacks on October 7 in Israel, while more than 200 people were taken captive.