Israeli sources told reporters tonight that the United States is redeploying dozens of fighter jets and refueling aircraft toward Israel, and is expected to significantly increase strikes in the coming days. The sources said there is currently no indication of fire toward Israel, but warned that if Iran feels cornered, rapid change and fire toward Israel could occur.
Israeli sources provided a briefing to reporters this evening (Saturday) detailing the United States' military redeployment and expected escalation of strikes against Iran. According to the sources, the US has completed redeployment of aircraft that had left the Middle East for Europe, and is now moving dozens of additional fighter jets and refueling tankers toward Israel. The sources assessed that the US is expected to significantly increase strikes in the coming days. While there is currently no indication of fire toward Israel, the sources cautioned that if Iran feels it is at a loss, a rapid change could occur and fire could also be directed at Israel.
The briefing comes shortly after a senior Israeli official told Army Radio's Moriah Asraf earlier this evening that the coming week is fateful for the possibility of resuming the campaign against Iran (The Zioneer, 20:02). Earlier on Saturday, an assessment compiled by The Zioneer listed multiple indicators of US and Israeli preparations for a renewed campaign, including redeployment of fighter jets and refueling tankers (The Zioneer, 18:25).
The developments come amid a period of intense US airstrikes on Iran, with the seventh consecutive night of strikes reported on Saturday morning. The current briefing adds specific details about the scale of US redeployment and the conditional warning about potential Iranian retaliation. What remains unclear is the precise timing of any escalation, and whether Iran will respond directly to Israel or through proxies.
3 developments
- DevelopingMultiple US C-17 transport aircraft land at three bases in Jordan, reports say
- StrongWSJ: US deploys F-16s, F-35s, aerial tankers to Middle East amid announcement of US soldier deaths
- StrongNew US fighter squadron taking off from Jordan toward Iran, Gulf sources report
- DevelopingF-16 fighter squadron with 5 refueling aircraft heads to Middle East, report says
Source and signal
A single-sourced dispatch is never rated Confirmed or Strong. Its Signal strengthens only when a second, independent source corroborates it.
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