FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The Middle East may be on the brink of a ballistic missile war.
Before the Iranian direct missile attack on Israel, the second in its history, the US was warning Iran in the strongest terms: don't do it.
If you do, Tehran was told, you will face dire consequences.
Israel's messages were said to be going further. Attack us and we will come after your alleged nuclear weapons program.
A perfectly connected New York Times correspondent says he was told this was the message telegraphed to Iran's ayatollahs.
Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has made a career out of defending Israel from the Iranian threat. He may now be tempted to use this Iranian barrage as an excuse to attack Iranian nuclear facilities.
When Iran launched its first direct attack in April, Israel responded in a symbolic way. Neither side was thought to want further escalation.
The same is unlikely to be true this time around.
Israel may choose to reduce the impact of these missiles. If they have caused limited damage, the Israelis will claim this as a second failure by Iran.
But they will be tempted to fight back and expect America to help them. The Middle East may be on the brink of a ballistic missile war.
Israel's leaders may feel this is the best chance they will have to neutralize the nuclear threat posed by Iran, which they believe is potentially existential.
Iran's proxies in Lebanon, Hezbollah, are in disarray, and its regime has been weakened by a struggling economy and a legacy of nationwide, albeit subdued, unrest.
Israel may decide this is the moment to strike. / Adapted "Pamphlet" from "Sky News"
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