Iran fears an Israeli surprise... and the Israeli army reveals the reason

Tel Aviv - Ofoq News - The Israeli army denied a series of reports published during the past 24 hours, which stated that Israel was preparing to launch a pre-emptive attack against Iran before the elections, stressing that there are no preparations to carry out such an attack at the present time.

An Israeli military source stated that over the past weeks and months there have been periods of increasing tension, partly due to statements by US President Donald Trump, which put the US army - and the Israeli army by extension - on alert. However, Trump later retreated from his intention to launch any attack.

The source added: “We have been on high alert for months, focusing first on strong defence, and are prepared to respond firmly if we are attacked. At the present time, we are not initiating an attack against Iran. But the Iranian file has not been closed; we see their attempts to build their power, especially in the field of missiles and drones, and above all the nuclear issue and the survival of the regime. We will need in the future to take an additional step to take them back years, whether through negotiations or military force. In any case, this will be done in coordination with the Americans and not through action.” Independent from our side.

The source pointed out, "The tension with Iran is at its highest levels. In Tehran, they realize that they were surprised twice by the Israeli army, so they are very cautious and suspicious. They fear another surprise Israeli attack, and are taking clear defensive steps for us."

Denying the Financial Times reports and warning trips

The military source touched on recent reports, denying the Financial Times report, which claimed that Israel planned an air campaign that lasted for several days in Iran at the end of the week of October 10, which included attacking nuclear facilities, power plants, and targets belonging to the regime, and that the operation was canceled due to Trump’s opposition to renewed conflict before the American midterm elections.

The source also denied reports of Israeli warning flights over Syria and Iraq, explaining: “We are working throughout the Middle East and keeping our eyes open, but we have not carried out any operations aimed at passing messages with the intention of combat escalation.” He stressed that the alert has been ongoing for months, but Israel is not currently preparing to launch a pre-emptive strike, adding: “We do not see movements in Iran that pose an immediate danger to Israel.”

Regarding the visit of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz at the Ovda Air Base, the source said: “The Chief of Staff and senior army commanders did not attend the meeting, and we do not know the content of the talks, but it is clear that no attack on Iran was coordinated.”

He explained that Hegseth visits American forces in the region secretly, as usual.

The source stressed that “the Israeli army is making every effort to ensure that the elections are held peacefully next Tuesday,” based on the pledge of Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir.

Katz: “If Iran attacks Israel... Iran will burn.”

In a related context, Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, today, Wednesday, during an officers’ graduation ceremony, touched on security tensions and the possibility of escalation.

Katz said: “In recent days, we have been monitoring attempts by our enemies, led by Iran and its agents, to carry out attacks that affect the election results in Israel. The Iranian regime is at its weakest, and this weakness may push it to take extreme steps. Our message is clear: We are monitoring your attempts and are prepared to thwart them. If Iran attacks Israel - Iran will burn!”

Katz touched on the army's activity in Lebanon and Syria, saying: "Israel will not withdraw from the security areas in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza. If Hezbollah decides to join Iran, it will receive severe blows." He threatened that "additional areas in southern Lebanon, such as Nabatieh and Litani, will become part of Israel's permanent security zone," warning of a comprehensive evacuation of the Shiite population up to the Awali and Zahrani line, and the destruction of the southern suburbs of Beirut. He added: "Just as Nasrallah destroyed the Shiite community until he was assassinated, Naim Qassem may destroy it completely until he is eliminated as well."

Regarding the fighting in Gaza, the Israeli Army Minister said: “The Israeli army controls a security zone approximately 70% of the Strip, which is devoid of population and infrastructure. 4,000 terrorists have been eliminated, and the remaining 2,000 will be eliminated wherever they are.”

Netanyahu: The directive is to overthrow the Iranian regime

For his part, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech at the same event in which he issued a sharp warning to Tehran, saying: “The regime in Iran has not yet learned its lesson. Mojtaba Khamenei, the current dictator, has decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and return to trying to develop death bombs. There is only one way to remove this threat once and for all - which is to overthrow the regime in Iran. This is my clear directive to the Israeli army, to the Mossad, and to the security services.”