### Israel Readies for Potential Strike on Iran Amid Retaliation Threats

Following a recent air strike by Israel, Iran has threatened a "definitive and painful" retaliatory attack, escalating tensions between the two nations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signaled that Iran's nuclear program could be Jerusalem's next target, emphasizing the effort to prevent Tehran from attaining nuclear weapons.

"The supreme objective that I have set for the IDF and the security services is to prevent Iran from attaining nuclear weapons," Netanyahu declared during a course graduation ceremony for Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers. He reiterated that halting Iran's nuclear program remains the primary focus for Israel's defense strategy, emphasizing that they have never taken their eyes off this crucial objective.

These comments were in direct response to a warning from Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. On Sunday, Khamenei took to social media to caution that Israel was making a significant miscalculation with respect to Iran's capabilities and resolve. He underscored the strength, initiative, and determination of the Iranian people, insisting that Israel needed to understand these attributes.

Netanyahu's remarks align with IDF statements that have vowed to escalate their attack capabilities should Iran proceed with further attacks on Israel. The U.S., Israel's principal ally against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, has consistently warned against targeting Iran's nuclear and oil infrastructure to avoid potentially igniting a regional war.

Speculations have emerged that Iran might wait until after the U.S. presidential election for its retaliatory strike, though other reports indicate that it could happen at any moment. The ongoing exchanges between the IDF and Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) might soon involve other Iranian-backed groups besides Hamas and Hezbollah. Recent Israeli strikes against Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria have heightened this possibility.

According to a report by Axios, Israeli intelligence suggests that an imminent attack on Israel could originate from an Iranian-backed militia in Iraq, rather than directly from Iran. Expert Behnam Ben Taleblu highlighted that Iran has transferred short-range ballistic missiles to their proxy forces in Iraq since 2018. These missiles, with a range of roughly 600 miles, could enable strikes on northern Israel from western Iraq or neighboring Syria.

Taleblu pointed out that while Syria's geographical proximity to Israel makes it an ideal launch point for Iranian proxy forces, the volatile situation there makes it a risky option. He noted that Iran has seen much of its infrastructure in Syria destroyed, and shifting the conflict to Iraq could provide a strategic advantage.

By moving the conflict into Iraq, Iran not only avoids potential direct retaliation on its own soil but could also prompt an international response given the U.S.'s historical ties with Baghdad. Taleblu suggested that there is a political taboo against Israeli strikes in Iraq due to the American presence there, providing Iran with a measure of protection while keeping multiple fronts open against Israel.