The Media Line: US Officials: Israel Targets Military, Energy Sites for Potential Iran Retaliation

US officials believe that Israel has identified military and energy infrastructure as potential targets for its response to Iran’s recent missile attack, according to an NBC report on Saturday. The attack, launched on October 1 in retaliation for Israel’s operations in Gaza and Lebanon, has kept the Middle East on high alert amid fears of further escalation in the ongoing conflict.

While Israel has vowed to respond to the missile barrage, there is no indication that it will target Iran’s nuclear facilities or conduct assassinations, according to the NBC report, citing unnamed US officials. The timing and final decisions on the retaliation remain unclear, but US and Israeli sources suggest the strike could come during the current Yom Kippur holiday.

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which escalated a year ago, has intensified in recent weeks. Hezbollah continues to launch rockets at northern Israel, and Israel’s military has conducted extensive operations in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure.

In a recent call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed concern over reports of Israeli strikes near UN peacekeeping positions in Lebanon. Five peacekeepers have been injured in three incidents since Thursday, according to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).