Israeli newspaper Maariv warned of potential strikes on Iraq's infrastructure and the assassination of "prominent" figures within Iraqi factions if Iran uses its missiles in Iraq to attack Israel.
The newspaper detailed that Iran is allegedly “smuggling short-range ballistic missiles into Iraq as part of its response to recent Israeli strikes.” According to the report, these missiles are believed to be “hidden inside water or oil tanks, raising concerns about their potential use in future attacks against Israeli or American targets.”
Intelligence sources cited in the newspaper indicated that Israel has devised “graduated plans to counter any possible escalation from Iraq. These plans begin with targeting infrastructure and installations and then progress to focused assassination operations against key figures in Iranian factions,” similar to previous actions in Syria.
The report also highlighted a significant increase in drone attacks launched from Iraq in recent months. Citing the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, “the number of drone attacks surged from just six in August to 90 in October, with over 65 attacks recorded since the beginning of November.”
The report stated that the Israeli Air Force intercepted, on Sunday, a drone headed towards Israel, launched by "Iraqi armed groups" that claimed responsibility for the attack.
Despite most threats being intercepted by the Israeli military and navy, Israel views these attacks as “operational nuisances rather than strategic threats,” recognizing the “severity and implications of the escalation.”
