US says Iran planning missile attack against Israel

The United States says Iran is preparing an imminent ballistic missile against Israel.

The US government disclosed this in a statement issued by the White House on Tuesday.

The scale of the anticipated Iranian attack was not immediately clear.

“We are actively supporting defensive preparations to defend Israel against this attack,” CNN quoted a senior US official as saying.

The US warned that a direct military attack from Iran against Israel will lead to severe consequences for Iran.

The intelligence comes as Israel launched a ground operation in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah.

Israeli officials said the offensives are “localized raids” that are “very limited in scope”.

Israel said there would be “no long-term occupation” of Lebanon.

The development also comes as Iran-backed Hezbollah said it launched strikes at troops in northern Israel.

Tensions between Israel and Iran have risen significantly in recent weeks, following intensified its efforts by the Jewish nation against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

On Friday, Israeli military said it had killed Hassan Nasrallah, secretary-general and leader of Hezbollah, in a strike.

Some 48 hours later, Israel said it killed Nabil Qaouk, another high-ranking Hezbollah official, in an air strike.

Reacting to the US warning, Daniel Hagari, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson, said Israel has not identified any aerial threat being launched from Iran.

Hagari added that the IDF is on a high state of alert and that an Iranian attack on Israel would have repercussions.