Iran Expects Israeli Response Within a Week, Sources Say

Members of the Popular Mobilization Forces participate in the funeral of Iranian Revolutionary Guard leader Abbas Nilforushan in Najaf earlier this month (AFP)

Iraqi sources reported on Wednesday that Iranian officials told leaders of the ruling Shiite coalition that Israel is likely to respond militarily to recent missile attacks from Tehran within “a week.”
These officials, involved in Iraqi affairs, shared this assessment with leaders of the Coordination Framework, suggesting that the Israeli strike could happen soon.
Tehran has also received “very negative signals” indicating that efforts to persuade Israel not to attack have failed.
The Iranian information circulating within the Coordination Framework shows a reduced chance that Israel will hold off on an attack.
Iranian officials warned Iraqi party leaders to be cautious, especially if the Israeli response targets facilities associated with Iran-backed groups in Iraq.
Sources indicate that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was hopeful about avoiding an Israeli strike during his visit to Baghdad on Oct. 11. However, the outlook has since turned more negative.
These new assessments followed Araghchi’s recent tour of the region, but Iranian officials are still committed to mediation efforts, despite the difficulties.
The information shared by Iranian officials with their Iraqi counterparts does not provide specific details on the scale or targets of a potential strike.
However, there is a growing belief that an Israeli response is now more likely than ever.
Meanwhile, political sources in Tel Aviv reported that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials during his visit, which ended Wednesday, to delay any military action against Iran and align with US views on developments in the region.