### Israel Considers Response to Iranian Missile Attack Amidst U.S. Cooperation Talks

Israeli leaders have yet to provide the U.S. with concrete details about their planned military response to the recent Iranian ballistic missile attack. While Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant have discussed potential Israeli actions, Israel has not confirmed its specific plans for retaliation.

American military officials have shown willingness to support Israel with intelligence and possibly limited airstrikes. However, Gallant did not delve into the specifics during his call with Austin. Israeli officials are still deliberating among various response options, including targeting Iranian military and intelligence infrastructure, air defenses, and energy facilities. Nuclear sites have been explicitly ruled out as targets.

Gallant was initially set to meet Austin in Washington on Wednesday, a trip he had proposed. This meeting has been postponed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, causing concern among U.S. officials that the Israeli strike could occur while Gallant is in Washington.

Following the launch of approximately 200 ballistic missiles by Iran last week, discussions about a U.S. response have included options ranging from intelligence sharing to potentially conducting limited strikes against Iranian assets, both within and outside Iran. However, direct military involvement by the U.S. remains less likely compared to supporting Israel through intelligence or imposing severe sanctions on Iran.

Defense officials have stressed that no final decisions have been made regarding U.S. involvement. The lack of concrete assurances from Israel about informing the U.S. of its final plans has also made the U.S. more cautious about actively participating in the response.

Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder indicated that Austin values regular communication with Gallant, emphasizing the importance of having situational awareness in the region. Historically, Israel has demonstrated willingness to conduct major military operations even while senior leaders are abroad, such as the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Interestingly, U.S. Central Command’s Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla was in Israel over the weekend but left the country before the expected Israeli retaliation. The U.S. and Iran have communicated that neither side seeks to escalate the conflict unless a significant attack on Iranian nuclear infrastructure occurs.

As Israel plans its response, the U.S. continues to watch closely for signs of imminent action, even considering the possibility of an Israeli strike during the Yom Kippur holiday.