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Horror warning issued over Iran war as Israel seeks ‘total elimination’ | Avi Melamed quoted by John Varga in the article For Daily Express UK. source article here >>
EXCLUSIVE: Avi Melamed told the Express the situation could become critical if Hezbollah join the fight.
A senior former Israeli intelligence official has told the Express that his country is effectively at war with Iran. He also warned that Tehran’s response to Israel’s attacks on its nuclear facilities was likely to involve a heavy onslaught of ballistic and cruise missiles.
Overnight on Friday, Israel’s army launched a series of devastating attacks on the country. The IDF says it struck “at the heart” of Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme and also killed a number of scientists.
At the same time, the head of the Revolutionary Guards – Hossein Salami – was eliminated along with several other commanders in the strikes.
Iran has stated that the attacks are a declaration of war, a view that is shared by the former top Israeli intelligence officer, Avi Melamed.
“Israel and Iran are at war, and we are in its very early stages,” he told the Express.
He warned of a fierce response by Iran and said the situation could become more critical if Hezbollah join the fight.
“The expectation is that Iran’s response will mainly involve ballistic missile fire, cruise missiles, and unmanned drones,” he continued.
“It is likely this will be accompanied by attacks from the Houthis and possibly from Iraqi militias.
“A key question is whether Hezbollah—still in possession of significant missile capabilities—will join the war.”
Although Iran has also pointed the finger of blame at the US, Mr Melmed, who also served as a senior adviser on Arab affairs to former prime minister Ehud Olmert, believes Tehran will limit its immediate response to attacks on Israel.
However, he cautioned that Iran may expand the warfront the longer the conflict drags on and the greater the threat to the Tehran regime.
These could include closing the Strait of Hormuz or renewing Houthi attacks on maritime traffic.
He noted that the Israeli attacks had not fully succeeded in their aim of the complete destruction of Iran’s nuclear capability.
“A full neutralisation of Iran’s nuclear program would require the total elimination of its ability to enrich uranium.
“In my assessment, the war is ultimately intended to pressure the Iranian regime into agreeing to that outcome as part of negotiations with the Trump administration.”
Horror warning issued over Iran war as Israel seeks ‘total elimination’ | Avi Melamed quoted by John Varga in the article For Daily Express UK. source article here >>
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