### Israel Poised to Strike Iran's Nuclear Sites, Former IDF General Says

A former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) general has affirmed that Israel is likely to launch a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities in the future. This statement comes amid heightened tensions following Iran's launch of roughly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel earlier this month. The missiles were fired in reaction to the death of Hamas Political Bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July and were framed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a response to "the intensification of the regime's evils with the support of the United States."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside the IDF, has vowed to retaliate against Iran’s aggression, raising international concerns about a potential widespread conflict. Brigadier General (Res.) Amir Avivi shared with Newsweek that Israel views this moment as a crucial opportunity to thwart Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Avivi expressed that although the immediate response might not focus on nuclear sites, Israel remains committed to their total destruction eventually, even if it takes a prolonged campaign.

Avivi also highlighted the importance of the United States' stance on the matter, noting that future actions would heavily depend on the policies of the next U.S. administration. He questioned whether Israel would have to act independently or if the U.S. would lead the charge in confronting Iran militarily.

Since Iran's missile attack on October 1, speculation has intensified about Israel’s potential targeting of Iran’s nuclear program. Western allies have long been concerned about Tehran’s nuclear activities, leading to sanctions and demands for restrictions. According to reports, Prime Minister Netanyahu assured the Biden administration that Israel would avoid striking Iranian oil or nuclear facilities. President Biden reiterated his support for Israel, though he expressed reluctance to back a retaliatory strike on Iran's nuclear sites.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly instructed his military to prepare for varied responses to any Israeli assault, while simultaneously seeking to sidestep a full-scale war. Sources suggest that the severity of Iran’s response will be calibrated based on the extent of Israel's attack, with potential actions including targeting Israel's oil and energy infrastructure or executing high-profile assassinations.