New Delhi

In response to last week's strike in Damascus amidst threats of retaliation from Iranian officials, Israel has allegedly indicated to strike targets within Iran.

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Israel is conducting air force exercises, including preparations to target Iranian nuclear facilities and key infrastructure, stated an anonymous Western security official cited by the London-based Elaph News.

Unnamed US intelligence sources informed, that Iran is unlikely to attack Israel directly out of fear of American and Israeli retaliation and will urge its various proxies in the region to launch attacks on its behalf in the coming days.

Also read: Israel kills senior Hezbollah commander in strike on southern Lebanon

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Released on Monday night, the report raised doubts regarding the prior assessments made by both Washington and Jerusalem, suggesting that an attack by Iran was inevitable.

Notably, Israel has remained on high alert recently following threats of retaliation from Iranian officials, followed by Damascus airstrike that resulted in the death of their top commander in Syria, Mohammad Reza Zahedi, along with six other members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and at least one member of the Iranian proxy group Hezbollah.

Israel has abstained from providing any official statements on the issue. Meanwhile, both Damascus and Tehran have accused Israel of being responsible for the attack that occurred last Monday. The New York Times cited four anonymous Israeli officials as confirming that the country was behind the strike.

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During a security cabinet meeting last week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made reference to the strike while asserting Israel's commitment to retaliate against any potential Iranian attack. 

Also read: Explained: Israeli military's use of AI tool 'Lavender' to generate kill lists

He stated, "Iran has been engaging in actions against us for years, both directly and through allies. As a result, Israel takes defensive and offensive measures against Iran and its proxies."

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said in a televised remarks last Friday that an Iranian response was coming.

“Be certain, be sure, that the Iranian response to the targeting of the consulate in Damascus is definitely coming against Israel,” he said.

After a review on Sunday (April 7) with top army brass, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said that Israel was ready to respond to any attack by the Islamic Republic, and has completed preparations for a response against any scenario that would develop against Iran.”

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Additionally, Israel is anticipating potential ballistic missile strikes directly from Iran, a threat it has not yet encountered.

Iran, on the other hand, has allegedly placed its military forces on high alert in anticipation of any forthcoming strikes.

(With inputs from agencies)