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Israeli Air Force reportedly prepares for large-scale drill simulating attack on Iran

The exercise is slated for this spring over the Mediterranean Sea and is to feature long-range sorties.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz, IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi and director of the POL-MIL Bureau in the Ministry of Defense Zohar Palti meet with US CENTCOM Commander Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, Jan. 28, 2021. Source: Israel's Ministry of Defense/Twitter.
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz, IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi and director of the POL-MIL Bureau in the Ministry of Defense Zohar Palti meet with US CENTCOM Commander Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, Jan. 28, 2021. Source: Israel’s Ministry of Defense/Twitter.

The Israeli Air Force is currently preparing an exercise scheduled for the spring of 2022 that will simulate an attack on targets in Iran, Israel’s Kan news reported on Wednesday.

The large-scale drill will see tens of fighter jets practice long-range sorties over the Mediterranean Sea, flying distances that represent strike ranges to Iran.

“The exercise will be apparent. All who need to see it will see it, and it joins Israeli messages sent to the world and to Iran recently,” said the report.

News of the exercise comes three months of Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, said that the military is accelerating Iran attack plans. Those stepped-up preparations include diverting funds and drawing up a precise outline, including combat flights more than 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) in distance.

On Wednesday night, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz left for the United States for a visit that will be dominated by discussions on Iran, including Israeli concerns over how the Islamic Republic is pressing on with its nuclear program as nuclear talks in Vienna drag out.

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