Iran on high alert as fears of Israeli, US strike on nuclear sites intensify

Iran has placed its defence systems on high alert around its nuclear facilities amid concerns of a potential attack by Israel and the United States. This response follows warnings from US intelligence to both the Biden and Trump administrations, indicating that Israel is likely to target Iran’s key nuclear sites this year.

"They [Iranian authorities] are just waiting for the attack and are anticipating it every night... everything has been on high alert – even in sites that no one knows about," a source said, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

The Islamic Republic has bolstered its defences, including deploying additional air defence system launchers. However, there are concerns that these defences may not be sufficient against a large-scale strike, especially following Israel’s previous attacks on Iran’s infrastructure. Iran's air defence system, which includes Russian S-300 systems, is seen as vulnerable to Israel’s advanced weaponry, prompting Iran to pressure Russia to expedite the delivery of S-400 missile systems.

General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) aerospace force, revealed that Iran is developing a ballistic missile defence system to counter Israeli threats. "In every meeting that I, along with [IRGC] commander [Hossein] Salami and [chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces] commander [Mohammad] Bagheri, had with the supreme leader, his first question was always: ‘What happened? Where does it stand?’" he said. The new system is expected to be ready by March.

Israel and Iran have long been engaged in covert operations against each other, particularly through proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah. In October 2023, Iran launched a missile strike on Israel, which retaliated with airstrikes. Iran now fears that, with support from President Donald Trump, Israel may soon target its nuclear sites.

"Iran is now nervously eyeing these different options, their nervousness has increased, understandably, as a result of reports in US media and US intelligence assessments which suggest that Israel is ready to strike Iran’s nuclear program this year," said Jason Brodsky, policy director of United Against Nuclear Iran.

The situation remains tense, with both Israel and the US considering various military options.

By Vafa Guliyeva