SECURITY: US/Israel Reach Agreement Not To Strike Iran's Oil/Nuclear Facilities

Al-Monitor reporting that the US and Israel have come to a 'quiet understanding' that Israel will refrain from striking Iran's oil industry and nuclear facilities in return for Washington accelerating arms shipments. However, the agreement is not formalised and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netayanhu may opt for a more punitive strik due to pressure from the far right of his base.

• The report notes: "The package also includes increased US attacks on Houthi weapons depots and other strategic targets in Yemen — a promise that appears to have been kept with the Oct. 16 US strike on Houthi weapons depots in Yemen."
• The report adds that, "both Israeli and US officials consider Iran likely to respond to Israel’s expected attack, which will reportedly target military and other sites," and in response, the Pentagon may be considering the deployment of a second THAAD missile defence system to Israel to enhance anti-missile defences.
• A senior Israeli security source said: "The role of the Americans in the next round — in which it will be Israel's turn to attack Iran — will be critical. They will have to make it clear to Iran in a persuasive and creative way, to break the cycle of reactions so that an all-out war does not break out."
• The report notes that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been tasked with convincing Israeli officials, during his current trip, that the killing of the leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah should clear the path for multipronged ceasefire talks.