Israel warns US of new threat from Iran, Axios reports
Photo: Israel Defense Forces (Getty Images)
Israel is warning of possible actions by Iran carried out under the cover of military drills, urging coordinated defense efforts by the United States and Israel’s own forces, according to a publication by Axios.
According to Axios, Tel Aviv has informed the US administration about a potential threat of an Iranian strike that could be disguised as military exercises.
While intelligence data currently indicates only internal troop movements, the Israel Defense Forces have lowered their risk tolerance following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
One source said the probability of an Iranian attack is assessed at below 50%, but stressed that no one is prepared to take the risk and dismissed the activity as merely drills. US intelligence has so far seen no signs of an imminent strike.
Coordination with US
Israel’s Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, contacted the head of US Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, warning about missile exercises by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the possibility that they could serve as cover for a sudden attack.
Zamir called for close coordination of defensive actions. A meeting with senior IDF officials was held in Tel Aviv with Cooper in attendance.
Axios sources noted that the greatest risk lies in miscalculation, where each side could mistakenly assume the other is preparing an attack and act preemptively.
Iran's missile capabilities
Israeli intelligence has recorded renewed efforts by Iran to rebuild its ballistic missile potential. After a 12-day war in June, Iran’s arsenal reportedly fell from about 3,000 to 1,500 missiles and from 400 to 200 launchers.
Steps are now being taken to restore these capabilities, though they have not yet returned to pre-war levels.
Israeli intelligence agencies, including the Mossad, believe no military action will be necessary in the next two to three months, but say the issue could become relevant later.
Israel’s prime minister is expected to discuss the situation with the US president in late December 2025.
Earlier, Israel reported the killing of senior Hamas commander Raed Saed in Gaza, describing him as one of the architects of the October 7, 2023, attack.
Separately, Kyiv hosted the Ukraine–Israel summit "Crisis Response: Israeli Technologies and Experience," where the Israeli embassy presented an overview of Israel’s medical systems and technologies.
