Iran preparing to strike Israel from Iraqi territory, Khamenei orders preparations - report

The attack is expected to be carried out from Iraq using a large number of drones and ballistic missiles, Axios reported.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reportedly told Iran's military to prepare response scenarios for a potential Israeli attack, according to a New York Times report.  (photo credit: IRANIAN ARMY/WANA/REUTERS/AFP PHOTO)
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reportedly told Iran's military to prepare response scenarios for a potential Israeli attack, according to a New York Times report.
(photo credit: IRANIAN ARMY/WANA/REUTERS/AFP PHOTO)

Israeli intelligence suggests Iran is preparing to attack Israel from Iraqi territory in the coming days, possibly before the US presidential election on Nov. 5, Axios reported on Thursday, citing two unidentified Israeli sources.

The attack is expected to be carried out from Iraq using a large number of drones and ballistic missiles, the Axios report added.

The report said that carrying out the attack through pro-Iran militias in Iraq could be an attempt by Tehran to avoid another Israeli attack against strategic targets in Iran.

Later on Thursday, a New York Times report, citing three Iranian sources, said that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had already on Monday, ordered Iran's Supreme National Security Council to prepare to strike Israel.

 MISSILES FIRED from Iran are intercepted over northern Israel, last Tuesday. This has been a grueling year marked by unrelenting challenges. Just this past week, Israel faced an attack of nearly 200 ballistic missiles from Iran, the writer notes. (credit: AYAL MARGOLIN/FLASH90)
MISSILES FIRED from Iran are intercepted over northern Israel, last Tuesday. This has been a grueling year marked by unrelenting challenges. Just this past week, Israel faced an attack of nearly 200 ballistic missiles from Iran, the writer notes. (credit: AYAL MARGOLIN/FLASH90)

According to the report, Khamenei's decision came after an examination of the scope of the damage sustained by Iran's missile production infrastructure and air defense systems as a result of Israel's retaliatory strike last week.