'Imminent attack': How Iran is stoking a 'psychological terror' in Israel
‘Imminent attack’: How Iran is stoking a ‘psychological terror’ in Israel
NEW DELHI: Israel is bracing for a potential direct assault from Iran within the next 24 to 48 hours, targeting either the southern or northern regions of the country. However, a person briefed by Iranian leadership said that while attack plans are under consideration, a final decision has not yet been reached, a Wall Street Journal report said.
In response to these heightened tensions, the US Embassy in Israel has implemented travel restrictions for government employees and their families, limiting personal travel to the central regions of Israel, Jerusalem, and Beersheba until further notice.
Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Russia, Germany, and Britain have called for restraint among regional actors as the possibility of an Iranian retaliatory strike against Israel grows. The calls for calm come in response to the recent airstrike on April 1 that targeted an Iranian embassy compound in Damascus, killing a top Iranian general and six military officers. Iran has vowed vengeance for the attack, which it attributes to Israel.
In a stark warning, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared on Wednesday that Israel “must be punished and it shall be,” labeling the airstrike as an assault on Iranian territory. Tehran’s mission to the United Nations echoed this sentiment, criticizing the lack of a UN Security Council condemnation of the strike, which it argued could have prevented further escalation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s readiness to defend itself amidst ongoing military operations in Gaza. “Whoever harms us, we will harm them. We are prepared to meet all of the security needs of the State of Israel, both defensively and offensively,” Netanyahu stated during a visit to an air force base.
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‘Psychological warfare’
But when exactly is Iran going launch its much publicised attack against Israel: 24 hours or 48 hours? Iran is reportedly intensifying its rhetoric against Israel, leveraging the ambiguity of its threats to instill fear and uncertainty. This strategy is part of a broader campaign to destabilize Israel and shift regional dynamics in favor of Iranian interests.
According to a detailed report by the Critical Threats Project (CTP) at the American Enterprise Institute and the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Iran is using the prospect of an “imminent” attack to create psychological terror within Israel. The report highlights a series of manipulated state media messages that contributed to heightened tensions and fear among the Israeli public.
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On April 10, Western media outlets reported that Iran could launch drone and missile strikes against Israel in retaliation for the recent killing of several senior IRGC officers in Damascus. Following these reports, Iranian state media propagated that the Iranian defense minister announced a closure of airspace around Tehran for a military exercise, insinuating preparations for an imminent military action. This message was widely circulated, causing speculation and fear of an impending attack. However, the Iranian state media abruptly retracted these statements, adding to the confusion and anxiety.
Iranian military and political officials have subsequently boasted that the mere anticipation of an attack is causing distress in Israel, which aligns with their strategic objectives. The CTP-ISW report interprets these maneuvers as part of a sophisticated information operation aimed at destabilizing Israel without immediate military engagement.
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This approach is consistent with previous observations by CTP-ISW, which noted that Iranian leaders aim for the Israel-Hamas conflict to drive migration away from Israel, thereby undermining the long-term viability of the Jewish state. By fueling uncertainty and fear, Iran seeks to weaken Israeli resolve and erode international confidence in Israel’s stability.
The effectiveness of Iran’s psychological warfare tactics remains a significant concern for Israeli security forces, which have to prepare for both conventional military threats and unconventional psychological operations.
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