"Israel will not stop until Iran's nuclear sites are destroyed…If it doesn't happen now, it will happen later on," Brig. Gen. (Res.) Amir Avivi told Newsweek.

Israel has had to factor in complicated refuelling operations for its warplanes as it plans 'imminent attack' on Iran, officials tell MEE

Tehran has several plans for responding to a threatened retaliatory strike by Israel, depending on its severity, and might also do nothing, insiders say.

T here is something ironic about the fact that, of all the countries in the Middle East, Iran is the one that now finds itself on the brink of war with Israel. Iran is not one of

Israel may now be more willing to risk war with Iran after the barrage earlier this month targeted civilian areas in addition to military ones. The longstanding framework of deterrence appears to have collapsed, leaving each country in danger of misjudging the other’s response and overstepping at each turn.

Iran is bracing for a retaliatory attack by Israel, which analysts say will probably target military sites rather than nuclear or oil facilities.

The two countries have been fighting a shadow war for years. But direct attacks are bringing direct reprisals, or at least plans for them.