The launch of the Iranian missile "Pawa 351"/Iranian News Agency
Israel considered launching an attack against Iran on Monday night, but ultimately decided to postpone the move, three American sources and two Israeli sources told Walla.
why is it important:
Senior officials in the Biden administration have stressed to senior Israeli officials in recent days that escalation with Iran will not serve the interests of the US and Israel, and said that if Israel finally decides to take any action against Iran, they believe it should be as limited as possible.
A senior American official said that a "small attack" by Israel in Iran will likely lead to an Iranian response, but the Biden administration hopes that it will be more limited than the Iranian attack last Saturday and will make it possible to end the exchange of blows between the parties.
Behind the Scenes:
According to two senior Israeli officials, the War Cabinet considered on Monday giving the green light to the IDF to carry out an attack against Iran, but in the end it was decided not to do so "for operational reasons".
A senior American official said that senior Israeli officials informed the Biden administration on Monday about the planned meeting of the War Cabinet and said that the ministers would discuss a possible response against Iran and that Israel would inform the American administration of the decisions made during the discussion.
After the war cabinet meeting, senior Israeli officials informed their counterparts in the American administration that it was ultimately decided to wait and not attack on Monday night.
"We are not sure why this decision was made and how close the Israelis were to the decision to attack," the American official said.
A second senior American official confirmed that Israel informed the Biden administration on Monday after the War Cabinet meeting that it had been decided to wait, but did not say what the reason for the decision was.
between the lines:
A senior Israeli official said that the decision to respond to the Iranian attack was made, but the question that remains open is the exact course of action and its timing.
Prime Minister Netanyahu today (Wednesday) told the foreign ministers of Germany and Britain who are visiting the country that Israel will respond to the Iranian attack but will do so in a "calculated" manner, according to a source familiar with the contents of the meetings.
The source noted that during the meetings Netanyahu did not show a sense of urgency when it comes to reacting against Iran and even mentioned that Israel needs to "finish the job" against Hamas in Gaza - something he claims will weaken Iran's ability to harm Israel.