Middle East escalation: Israel told to strike first as Iran reportedly prepares for two-wave attack

A rocket attack has targeted a US military base, Russia has delivered military equipment to Iran, the Israeli Defence Force is telling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to strike first and Donald Trump says an attack will happen “tonight”.

The precarious situation in the Middle East has reached a terrifying breaking point.

Who will make the next move in the tit-for-tat revenge attacks is unclear but Israeli TV is reporting that the IDF told Mr Netanyahu: “The chances of escalation on the northern front are increasing. It would be prudent to lead the initiative.”

“We must undermine the enemy’s perception that we are waiting for their move,” they added.

It is understood that Mr Netanyahu has not yet decided on an attack plan.

The escalation has been expected after Hezbollah was blamed for a rocket strike that hit a football field in Golan Heights — killing 12 people including children — an Israeli air strike killed Hezbollah leader Fuad Shukr and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran.

The rapidly evolving situation involving multiple nations is pushing the region towards war. Here’s what you need to know:

Donald Trump warns ‘tonight’

In an interview posted on X, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said Israel would be attacked “tonight”.

“I’m hearing there’s going to be an attack tonight by Iran on Israel. There’s going to be an attack tonight I’m telling you right now,” Mr Trump said.

“I hear it just through the same ways, there’s no top secret information or anything, but I hear that Israel is going to be attacked tonight.”

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris briefed

US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been briefed by their national security team on the situation in the Middle East, including threats posed by Iran and its proxies to Israel and US service members, the White House said.

The briefing reportedly included intelligence on Iran’s likely attack on Israel which is expected to take place in two waves.

Biden and Harris were also updated on US efforts to support Israel militarily if it is attacked and diplomatic efforts to “de-escalate regional tension” and reach a ceasefire and hostage-release deal in Gaza.

US base attacked

The briefing came hours after the president and vice president were briefed on an attack on a US military base.

At least five US personnel were wounded in the rocket strike, US officials told Reuters.

It was unclear whether the attack was linked to threats by Iran to retaliate over Haniyeh’s killing, in which the US said it had no involvement.

Two Katyusha rockets on Monday were fired at the base in western Iraq, security sources said.

One security source said the rockets fell inside the base.

Last week the US carried out a strike in Iraq against individuals US officials said were militants getting ready to launch drones and posed a threat to US and coalition forces.

Hamas Commander ‘eliminated’

Escalating tensions further, on Tuesday, the IDF announced they had carried out a strike killing Hamas Commander Jaber Aziz.

The IDF said Aziz “played a significant role in planning the Oct. 7 massacre and led numerous terrorist attacks against the IDF and Israel”.

The “elimination” comes after an Israeli air strike killed Hezbollah leader Fuad Shukr and also the head of Hamas’ military wing, Mohammed Deif.

Iran

Iran vowed to take revenge after the assassination of Haniyeh while in Tehran.

Iran has reportedly received a delivery of military equipment from Russia ahead of an attack that is planned in two waves.

The delivery is understood to include advanced air defence and radar equipment.

Haniyeh was assassinated in the Iranian capital Tehran last week — an attack that drew threats of revenge on Israel and fuelled further concern that the conflict in Gaza was turning into a wider Middle East war.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reportedly commanded a direct strike on Israel.

Although the Tehran attack was widely assumed to have been carried out by Israel, Mr Netanyahu’s government did not claim responsibility and said it would not comment on Haniyeh’s killing.

Despite its silence, Iran has blamed Israel and said it will “punish” it.

- With Reuters