Khaberni - The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported on Saturday that estimates from the Israeli security establishment suggest that the significant increase in US military deployment may either pave the way for a fierce attack on Iran aimed at overthrowing the Iranian regime and fulfilling Trump's promise to the Iranian protesters, or it might be part of a credible military threat intended to exert direct pressure on Tehran to push for a new agreement, described as more stringent than the nuclear deal made under former US President Barack Obama.
The Corporation quoted Israeli officials saying that if a military attack on Iran is decided, Israeli citizens will be notified in advance and in sufficient time, as part of the internal preparations for various scenarios.
In the same context, the Corporation quoted an Israeli security source confirming that currently there is no direct operational coordination concerning Iran, noting that the position of US President Donald Trump is still unclear.
Trump said on Thursday that a significant military force is on its way to Iran, emphasizing that he is closely monitoring developments. Speaking to reporters aboard the presidential aircraft, he mentioned threatening Tehran with a military strike if executions were carried out, while noting on the other hand that he stopped 837 executions.
The American President added: "We have a lot of ships heading to the region, and an aircraft carrier is also on its way. We will see what happens. I don’t want anything to happen, but we have to wait and see."
On the other hand, Reuters quoted a high-level Iranian official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, saying on Friday that Iran would treat any attack targeting it as total war. This position comes ahead of the arrival of a US aircraft carrier group and additional military equipment to the Middle East in the coming days.
The Iranian official clarified that this military buildup is "hoped not to be aiming for a real confrontation", but emphasized that the Iranian military is prepared for the worst scenarios, reiterating that the country is in a state of maximum alert.
He added: "This time, any attack, whether it be limited or total, a precision strike or a direct military targeting, whatever it is called, will be considered total war against us, and we will respond with the highest possible force to resolve the matter."
