Iran tensions heighten as military commander visits Israel amid strike fears
US, Israeli forces on high alert after deadly air raid on Iranian consulate
UN mission suggests response could have been averted if Israel had warned of attack
A high-ranking military commander traveled to Israel on Thursday, officials said, as fears ran high that Iran would soon launch a strike to avenge the killings of several senior Iranian officials in a recent Israeli air raid.
The Iranian mission to the United Nations has suggested that the deadly Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus could have been averted if Israel had provided advance warning.
Israel is bracing for a possible attack from Iran either directly or via its proxies, according to people familiar with the situation. US and Israeli forces in the region have been put on high alert in anticipation of a potential strike.
An Iranian official said on Sunday that Israeli embassies were "no longer safe" as the country prepared a response. The US has warned Iran against any retaliation following the Israeli air strike.
The heightened tensions come amid concerns that Iran may be developing nuclear weapons. Israel has vowed to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, and has threatened military action if necessary.
Comments