Israeli military warns of possible Iranian retaliation against the country
Israel has been maintaining a state of “maximum alert” for more than a week amid concerns that any U.S. military action against Iran could prompt retaliatory attacks targeting the country directly. Israeli commanders have warned that Tehran might attempt to strike Israel in response to American operations.
Major General Rafi Milo, head of Israel’s Northern Command, highlighted the risk in televised remarks, noting that despite the significant presence of U.S. forces in the Gulf, there is “no complete clarity on the next steps.” Israel, as America’s closest ally in the region, is viewed as a likely target for Iranian retaliation.
The heightened readiness coincides with U.S. naval movements, including the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group and accompanying destroyers toward the Gulf of Oman. President Donald Trump confirmed the reports, describing the fleet as an “armada” ready to act while emphasizing that “all options” remain on the table.
This escalation follows a familiar cycle of confrontation: last June, Israeli attacks on Iranian targets led to retaliatory drone and missile strikes before a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. The ongoing dispute involves Iran’s nuclear program and decades-long regional rivalry, creating volatility that threatens broader regional conflict and prompting calls from neighboring countries, including Türkiye, for diplomatic restraint.
