Israeli intelligence reports indicate Iran is planning an attack on Israel, potentially from Iraqi territory, using a combination of drones and ballistic missiles. Israeli sources suggest the attack could take place before the U.S. presidential election.

According to officials, Iran might utilize Iraqi territory and its allied militias, such as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which has previously launched drone attacks on Israel.

This strategy could help Iran avoid direct Israeli retaliation on its own soil.

While U.S. officials believe Iran is prepared to execute this plan swiftly, they remain uncertain if a final decision has been made to launch the strike.

This development appears to be a response to Israel’s recent strikes on Iranian military targets. In early October, Iran launched 180 ballistic missiles toward Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, leading to a robust Israeli response.

Israel’s air force conducted a series of airstrikes on Iranian military installations, deploying F-35 stealth jets, refueling aircraft, and drones to target air defenses and missile production equipment.

Following those airstrikes, intelligence reports indicated that a significant portion of Iran’s air defense systems and radar infrastructure were damaged, possibly limiting Iran’s missile-launch capabilities from within its own borders.

This damage could be another reason Iran might look to Iraqi territory for launching its attack.

Iranian leaders, including supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, initially downplayed a potential war with Israel but later emphasized Iran’s right to retaliate.

Iranian officials have warned of a “definitive and painful” response, with Khamenei’s chief of staff stating that retaliation is “certain” and will be powerful enough to “make our enemy regret” its actions. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps commander, Hossein Salami, also pledged an unexpected response to Israel’s recent strikes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently stated that Israel has expanded its operational capabilities within Iran, asserting that Israeli forces are now able to reach critical sites in Iran as needed.