Israeli Cabinet discusses Iran attack plans without giving green light as US confirms missile defense THAAD is ‘in place’

‘Hard to say exactly what [Israeli strikes] will look like,’ says US Defense Secretary Austin

The Israeli Security Cabinet wrapped up a six-hour discussion about Israel’s plans to strike Iran without authorizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to give the green light for a strike, according to Ynet News.

While the cabinet was expected to authorize Netanyahu and Gallant to give the final go-ahead, the report said they only intend to approve possible strikes at the last minute to keep the plans as secret as possible.

The report comes shortly after top-secret Pentagon documents containing Israeli plans for the response to the Iranian ballistic missile assault were leaked.

During the discussion, Israeli ministers reportedly aired their frustration that Israel so far has not strongly responded to the drone strike on Netanyahu’s private home in Caesarea over the weekend, which Israel believes to have been approved directly by the Iranian regime.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said, “It’s hard to say exactly what [Israel’s strike against Iran] will look like,” during a press briefing in Kyiv.

“At the end of the day, that’s an Israeli decision, and whether or not the Israelis believe it’s proportional and how the Iranians perceive it, I mean those may be two different things,” Austin told reporters.

“We’re going to do – continue to do – everything we can… to dial down the tensions and hopefully get both parties to begin to de-escalate. So, we’ll see what happens.”

The Biden administration demanded that Israel refrain from hitting Iran’s nuclear and oil facilities. Most indications suggest the Israeli strikes will focus on Iran’s military, especially its Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Austin also noted that the American missile defense battery THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) sent to Israel was now “in place,” but declined to confirm whether it was fully operational.

After the Iranian ballistic missile assault earlier this month, the U.S. announced it would transfer a THAAD battery, which includes six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, radio and radar equipment, and needs to be operated by some 100 soldiers.

THAAD has an operational range of 150-200 kilometers (93-124 miles), complementing Israel’s Arrow-2 and 3 systems.

The system is reportedly meant to augment Israel’s aerial defense in the event of another Iranian missile attack in the aftermath of the expected Israeli response in Iran.

“We have the ability to put it into operation very quickly and we’re on pace with our expectations,” Austin said.