Following Iran’s surprise missile and drone attack on the United Arab Emirates that began Monday evening, Israel is already preparing—and quickly—for the possibility that the escalation will bring a return to combat. A senior Israeli official told Channel 14’s Hillel Bitton-Rosen that “Israel is ready to return to combat immediately in Iran,” clarifying: “We’re just waiting for a green light from the Americans.”
The Home Front Command is also preparing. A military official said this evening that the IDF is closely monitoring the situation and is on high alert. Against the backdrop of tensions, the military is emphasizing to the public that at this stage there is no change in Home Front Command guidelines, and routine continues as usual throughout the country.
The military official’s statement further clarified that air defense systems and offensive capabilities are on high alert, which has not changed since the ceasefire was decided. The military continues to emphasize that it is prepared for any development, and that if any change occurs in the guidelines, the public will receive an update immediately and in an orderly manner.
Preparations at Ben Gurion Airport
Israel is already experienced in dealing with immediate openings and closures of airspace due to the security situation, and this time too—the Airports Authority is preparing in advance. As of now, Ben Gurion Airport continues to operate as usual, but behind the scenes the alert level has been raised to the highest level with the understanding that the timetable could change within minutes. Security officials emphasize that a scenario of a direct attack on Israel will lead to immediate closure of airspace, a move that will bring a complete halt to takeoffs and landings and rapid evacuation of foreign aircraft from the country.
The Airports Authority and the Transportation Ministry held situation assessments in recent hours to ensure that all emergency systems are prepared for extreme scenarios, including diverting flights to alternative airports abroad if necessary.
At this stage, the instruction to the public is to remain alert and check with airlines, as any change in the operational situation could lead to an immediate freeze of air traffic to and from Israel. While Ben Gurion remains Israel’s main bridge to the world, the feeling in the terminal corridors is one of tense waiting for what’s to come.
The Attack on the UAE
As mentioned, the heightened preparations in Israel began when several hours ago the UAE Interior Ministry announced that air defense systems were activated following a threat of missile launches. In an official statement, authorities called on the public to remain in protected spaces and continue following instructions and updates published on official channels. They later updated that 4 cruise missiles were fired at them, 3 of which were intercepted and another fell into the sea. Shortly after, additional alerts were activated due to missile and drone fire. In total, at least 6 different waves of fire were carried out.
Following this, commercial aircraft are avoiding landing at Dubai airport. Meanwhile, a cargo ship reported a fire in the engine room—the cause of the incident is not known at this stage. Additionally, the UAE confirmed that a fire broke out in the petrochemical industrial area following a hit by an unmanned aircraft that came from Iran. “Civil defense teams in Fujairah immediately began dealing with the incident and continue efforts to control the fire,” it was reported.
Meanwhile, a UAE source told CNN: “Expecting an American-Israeli strike on Iran within the next 24 hours.” U.S. Central Command commander Brad Cooper said that “Iran attempted to fire cruise missiles at a U.S. military ship and American commercial vessels.” He also reported that “the U.S. destroyed 6 Revolutionary Guard boats that tried to hit commercial ships.” He conveyed a “warm recommendation” to the Iranians: “Stay away from American military assets.”
Message from Trump
Trump sent an especially sharp threat this evening toward Iran, against the backdrop of the attacks on the UAE, saying that any Iranian strike on American vessels or on vessels participating in the “Freedom of Navigation” project that Washington led in the region will be met with an unprecedented response.
“If they attack, their country will be erased,” he said, emphasizing that the United States now has a much larger inventory of weapons and ammunition than before. The president added that “we can use all these weapons, and we will, if we need to.”
The president later wrote on his social network:
“Iran has taken some shots at unrelated Nations with respect to the Ship Movement, PROJECT FREEDOM, including a South Korean Cargo Ship. Perhaps it’s time for South Korea to come and join the mission! We’ve shot down seven small Boats or, as they like to call them, “fast” Boats. It’s all they have left. Other than the South Korean Ship, there has been, at this moment, no damage going through the Strait.
The remarks come after tense hours in the maritime arena, during which the U.S. deployed naval forces to secure commercial ships crossing the strait. In response, Iran fired warning shots and sent Revolutionary Guard boats in an attempt to hit American vessels and civilian ships, with six of them reportedly sunk. Iran later also attempted to launch cruise missiles at American ships.