US and Israeli officials expect Iran to attack Israel as early as Monday

Gen. Michael Kurilla’s visit to the region was scheduled before the recent escalation involving Israel, Iran, and Hezbollah. However, he is expected to use the trip to rally the same international and regional coalition that previously supported Israel during an attack from Iran on April 13, according to a U.S. official.

Three U.S. and Israeli officials anticipate that Iran might launch an attack on Israel as soon as Monday. Iranian and Hezbollah leaders have pledged retaliation for the assassinations of Hezbollah's top military commander Fuad Shukr and Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh.

The U.S. is increasing its military presence in the Middle East, including sending more warships and fighter jets to the region, in anticipation of a possible Iranian attack on Israel, the Pentagon announced on Friday.

U.S. officials believe any Iranian retaliation may follow a similar strategy to their April 13 attack on Israel but could be on a larger scale and may involve Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Biden administration is concerned that it might be harder to assemble the same international and regional coalition that defended Israel previously, given that Haniyeh’s assassination is occurring amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which has heightened anti-Israel sentiment in the region.