America News Agency

The Israeli military said Tuesday that the U.S. had briefed Israel on preparations for the attack, which could lead to a sharp escalation in the long-running conflict between Israel and Iran and plunge the region into further turmoil and an expanding war, according to the New York Times. Iran supports Hezbollah and Hamas, two militias currently fighting Israel, as well as the Houthis in Yemen.

A senior White House official said the U.S. was "actively supporting Israel's preparations to defend against this attack" and warned that a direct attack on Israel would "have serious consequences for Iran."

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military intelligence, said the Iranian attack could involve a combination of drones and missiles. The U.S. Embassy in Israel has sent its staff home, telling them to prepare to enter bomb shelters for the first time in months.

Iran last attacked Israel in April, but Israel, with the help of the U.S., Jordan and others, intercepted nearly all of the hundreds of missiles and drones fired at its territory. Israel’s response has been muted, with the U.S. calling for restraint.

There has been no official statement from Iran. But as a sign of the moment's seriousness, the Iranian state media said Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will lead Friday prayers in Tehran this week. He undertakes this sermon only in extraordinary circumstances and is expected to set the tone for Iran’s strategy against Israel.

Ali Vaez, the Iranian director of the International Crisis Group, said the consensus in Iran is moving toward a response “to kill the momentum Israel has built up over the last few days.” But he said a response for Iran was risky because it would give Israel grounds to retaliate.

Earlier, the Israeli military on Tuesday sharply tightened restrictions on gatherings in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, a sign it was preparing for more retaliation from Hezbollah or Iran.