Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has directed military officials to prepare for a retaliatory attack on Israel following recent airstrikes that targeted Iranian military installations. This development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between the two nations, which have engaged in a series of retaliatory actions. Last week, the Israeli Air Force struck anti-aircraft systems and radar sites in Iran, claiming to have diminished key military capabilities. In response, Iranian officials have issued stern warnings of a “harsh” and “unimaginable” retaliation. Analysts suggest that Iran's response could be timed to occur after the U.S. elections on November 5, though some believe it may happen sooner. Target Lists Under Preparation Khamenei’s directive came after he assessed the damage from the Israeli strikes, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of four Iranian soldiers. Despite Iranian claims of minimal impact, Khamenei stated that any failure to respond would be seen as weakness. Military planners in Iran are reportedly creating lists of potential targets in Israel for a counteroffensive, as noted by The Times of Israel. Israeli intelligence suggests Iran may retaliate from Iraqi territory, utilizing pro-Iranian militias to reduce the risk of direct strikes against Iranian territory, thereby minimizing escalation while still delivering a robust response. Israeli Operations and Objectives Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that Israel enjoys unprecedented operational freedom within Iran, claiming that recent actions have significantly weakened Iran’s air defense capabilities. He reaffirmed Israel's commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and indicated readiness for further military operations if necessary. In a statement from his office, Netanyahu emphasized, “The main goal for the IDF and our security services is to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. This has always been our primary concern.” He remarked, “We have struck at Iran’s vulnerable points. The boastful rhetoric from Iranian leaders cannot obscure the reality that Israel now has greater freedom of action in Iran than ever before. We can operate wherever necessary.” Source: agency