US warns regional allies of possible strikes against Iran, retaliation after election. Officials said they expect the next escalation to last for several days, with the US advising regional partners to prepare for potential strikes against Iran.
The alert follows reports that Iranian troops and factions supported by Tehran may strike back against US targets and its regional partners, possibly extending the hostilities after the initial military campaign.
Officials in the region were bracing for a broader escalation, with Iran and its allied armed groups’ response potentially sparking other exchanges and prolonging the fighting, the sources added.
The return of the possibility of hostilities has led to worries about security in the region, such as the threat to attack military sites, vital installations and other strategic targets.
The US assessment that the operation could take several days to complete runs counter to regional officials’ fears of retaliatory strikes leading to a long period of destabilisation.
It is not evident from the information whether or not this was the correct timing of an attack and the wider scope. Sources did not specify the targets or what regional allies were doing in response to the warning.
