Israeli security forces on a street leading to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Caesarea, October 19, 2024. (Credit: Jack GUEZ/AFP)
The residences of senior Iranian regime officials have reportedly been added to the list of potential targets for Israeli retaliation against Iran, following the launch of 180 ballistic missiles against the Israeli state on Oct. 1, Channel 14 reports. "The Iranian regime has reasons to worry, especially (Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic) Ali Khamenei," the Israeli media outlet claims.
Although nuclear and oil facilities were initially considered, Israelis have recently told the United States that they would limit themselves to military or intelligence targets. According to Israeli sources cited by Channel 14, targeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's private residence in Caesarea on Saturday morning was included in defining the targets for the impending Israeli retaliation against Iran. The head of the executive described the "assassination attempt" as a "serious mistake," as he was not present in the targeted building.
Channel 14 reports that plans have already been presented to policymakers, and a small circle of individuals would know the proposed attack strategy. Even the pilots participating in the operation will be informed of their target only at the last moment.
Earlier on Monday, Iran warned the United States in writing about their "full responsibility" and "complicity" in case of "aggression" by Israel, in response to very brief statements made by President Joe Biden on Friday in Berlin. The Iranian diplomatic mission to the United Nations in New York made public a letter addressed to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the Swiss presidency of the Security Council. It denounces "a deeply alarming and provocative statement made by the President of the United States during a press exchange in Berlin" on Oct. 18. When questioned by journalists just before leaving for Washington, Joe Biden simply answered "yes and yes" to the double question of whether he knew how and when Israel would retaliate against Iran's attacks on October 1.
At war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon, Israel has repeatedly threatened to strike Iran in retaliation for its missile attack on Oct. 1. This attack was presented by Iranian authorities as a response to the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon in an Israeli raid and that of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in an attack attributed to Israel.
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