High level sources in Israel tell Al-Monitor that while a direct #Iran launch at Israel would draw a significant response, an attack through proxies would be regarded as more 'measured.'

Sounds like rules of engagement are being hashed out. al-monitor.com/originals/2024…

New Al-Monitor: Pentagon shifts forces to MidEast ahead of Iran’s expected attack on Israel

Israel’s Apr. 1 airstrike in Damascus has thrust the US into a precarious balancing act, as Biden vows to defend Israel while seeking to avert conflict with Iran

al-monitor.com/originals/2024…

Iran's calculations re: a military response to #Israel are agonizing and loaded with risk. Also must read reports! Amberin Zaman from Syria; Rasha abou jalal from Gaza; Ben Caspit בן כספית from Israel; Jared Szuba from DC al-monitor.com/originals/2024… Al-Monitor

Number-two top lawmaker on the Senate Intelligence Committee

US Secretary of State Blinken has called on China to help de-escalate Middle East tensions & restrain Iran.

In turn, Chinese Foreign Minister expressed China’s strong condemnation” of Israel's attack on Iran's consulate & stressed the “inviolable” right to security of diplomatic…

'We're really trying to avoid war,' Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General CQ Brown on CBS Mornings in regard to whether the U.S. could be drawn into a conflict between Israel and Iran. The General said one of the primary things is to make sure that all of US forces in the region…

“Neither official said they were fully confident Iran will succeed in striking Israel in a way that doesn’t prompt the U.S. to respond militarily”

Read: the US is warning Iran that they are prepared to respond.

Theory of the case since Oct 7 is that Iran seeks to pressure…

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Austin reiterated to Israeli Min.Def. Gallant today US commitment to Israel’s security against threats by Iran & proxies.

Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder won’t say what that may entail, but says Austin is “very confident in Israel’s commitment to the security of US forces” in region

Pentagon now confirms CENTCOM commander Gen. Erik Kurilla’s pre-scheduled visit to Israel was “moved up” due to recent developments with Iran.

Iran wants to launch a large scale attack from their own territory against #Israel

Israel will respond instantly with an even more severe counterattack inside of Iran

What happens next is the most dangerous Middle East moment since 1973

🚨Iran has told the White House that if the US defends Israel against its forthcoming retaliation for the Damascus strike, it will consider the US a viable target as well
theintercept.com/2024/04/10/ira…

“These include strikes in Al Shaboura —  an area of Rafah to which the Israel Defense Forces previously instructed displaced people from elsewhere in Gaza to relocate.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke today with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Blinken “reiterated the United States’ support for Israel’s security and made clear that the US will stand with Israel against any threats by Iran and its proxies,” per State Dept.

UPDATE:

Iran’s mehr news agency removes report about closing Iranian airspace over Tehran, denies publishing such a report -Reuters news

Confirming Amwaj.media report, Iran's UN mission tells me that Iranian FM Hossein Amir-Abdollahian will travel to New York to attend the UN Security Council meeting on Palestine scheduled for April 18.

Blinken says the Israelis have not communicated a date for the Rafah offensive