Iran Considers “Strong and Complex” Retaliation Against Israel

According to The Wall Street Journal, unnamed Iranian and Arab officials indicated that Tehran is considering an escalated response aimed at Israeli military installations, with one Iranian source suggesting a more aggressive approach than previous engagements.

An Egyptian source claimed that Iran privately warned of a “strong and complex” response, suggesting that the upcoming action might involve both the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the regular Iranian military. However, officials clarified that this involvement would not mean deploying Iranian troops but rather expanding coordination with the IRGC, which typically leads Iran’s actions against Israel.

The timing of the potential response is also influenced by the U.S. presidential election on November 5, as one official suggested that Iran aims to avoid impacting the election’s outcome. Meanwhile, Israeli intelligence recently warned that Iran may conduct an attack from Iraqi territory, possibly involving drones and ballistic missiles, in the lead-up to the election. This follows an October 26 strike by the Israel Defense Forces on Iranian targets, which killed at least four Iranian soldiers in response to an October 1 attack on Israel.