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Israel has postponed its anticipated retaliatory strike on Iran due to the recent leak of classified US documents detailing its military planning, as reported by Britain’s The Times.
The leak, which first surfaced on Telegram, has raised concerns in Israel about Iran’s potential to anticipate Israeli military strategies, even though no specific targets were named.
An unnamed intelligence source revealed that the Israeli government is now re-evaluating its operational plans. “The leak of the American documents delayed the attack due to the need to change certain strategies and components,” the source stated.
“There will be a retaliation, but it has taken longer than it was supposed to take.” The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have reportedly developed an alternative plan, which will undergo war-gaming exercises before execution.
The leaked documents, marked as top secret, provided insights into Israel’s preparations for a counterstrike following Iran’s missile barrage on October 1, which saw over 200 ballistic missiles launched toward Israel.
This attack resulted in widespread alarm, forcing many Israelis into bomb shelters and causing damage in both residential areas and military bases.
While one Palestinian was killed in the West Bank during the attack, the IDF claimed there was no significant operational impact.
Iran has justified its missile strike as retaliation for recent Israeli actions, including targeted strikes in Lebanon that eliminated senior Hezbollah figures and a July explosion in Tehran that reportedly killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
Notably, Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in Haniyeh’s death. In the wake of these tensions, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant addressed pilots and air crews at Hatzerim airbase on October 23, underscoring the gravity of the upcoming military actions.
“After we strike in Iran, everyone will understand what you did in the preparation and training process,” Gallant stated, asserting that adversaries who once envisioned defeating Israel have paid a steep price for their ambitions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has assured US President Joe Biden that any retaliatory measures will focus solely on military targets, avoiding strikes on non-military infrastructure.
However, this stance may be shifting following a Hezbollah drone attack on Netanyahu’s private residence in Caesarea, which he has characterized as an attempted assassination orchestrated by “agents of Iran.”
This incident has prompted discussions within Israeli leadership about expanding the scope of their planned response. Israel has been preparing for a potential confrontation with Iran for years, conducting several major military drills simulating long-range strikes.
The ongoing geopolitical situation remains delicate, with any Israeli retaliation carrying the risk of further escalation in the region.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has confirmed that the Pentagon is investigating the leak of the classified documents but indicated that there are no ongoing probes concerning employees from the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
As tensions continue to escalate, the world watches closely, understanding that any miscalculation could lead to a broader conflict in an already volatile Middle East.