Iran Prepares For Possible Israeli Retaliation

An ambulance is parked outside the Iranian embassy after a suspected Israeli strike on Monday on Iran's consulate, adjacent to the main Iranian embassy building, which Iran said had killed seven military personnel including two key figures in the Quds Force, in the Syrian capital Damascus, Syria April 2, 2024.
An ambulance is parked outside the Iranian embassy after a suspected Israeli strike on Monday on Iran's consulate, adjacent to the main Iranian embassy building, which Iran said had killed seven military personnel including two key figures in the Quds Force, in the Syrian capital Damascus, Syria April 2, 2024.

After Iran's missile and drone attack aimed at Israel over the weekend, the country is bracing for possible retaliatory attacks either on its territories or proxies.

This comes after the Iranian government had made preparations to safeguard their assets, which included activating the air force for possible strikes, and deployment of navy escorts for commercial Iranian ships in the Red Sea.

In addition, the Wall Street Journal reports that they are in the process of evacuation at Iranian bases within Syria, especially where the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) predominantly resides.

After launching more than 350 drones and missiles, officials in Israel warned of a counter strike without specifying what kind of response is to be expected.

The US, along with European nations, has urged Israel to refrain from retaliation that could escalate tensions further.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Britain’s former Prime Minister David Cameron had separate meetings Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in which they echoed a message of de-escalation.

The Biden administration also plans to shore up the diplomatic effort with new economic sanctions on the IRGC and its economic links to Iran's missile and drone programs.

On the military front, it is reported that Iran ordered emergency protocols, especially in Syria, where the IRGC and Hezbollah have adjusted their presence and heightened security measures in anticipation of potential Israeli strikes.

Tehran also indicated that it would respond to any Israeli attack. “The smallest action against Iran’s interests will definitely be met with a severe, extensive and painful response against all its perpetrators,” Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said.