---
title: "Israeli minister tells US that large-scale Iranian attack expected, Axios reports"
description: "WASHINGTON, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant told U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday that Iran was making preparations for a large-scale military attack on Israel, Axios reporter Barak Ravid said in a post on X, citing a source with knowledge of the call."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Middle East conflict"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-08-12-israeli-minister-tells-us-that-large-scale-iranian-attack-expected-axios-reports/"
published: "2024-08-12T13:00:49"
updated: "2024-08-12T12:28:07"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 133
---

# Israeli minister tells US that large-scale Iranian attack expected, Axios reports

> WASHINGTON, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant told U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday that Iran was making preparations for a large-scale military attack on Israel, Axios reporter Barak Ravid said in a post on X, citing a source with knowledge of the call.

By Reuters · Published 12 August 2024, 15:00 SAST · Updated 12 August 2024, 14:28 SAST

## Content

In a statement on Monday, Gallant's ministry confirmed the call took place overnight. It said Gallant and Austin discussed operational and strategic coordination and the Israeli military's readiness in the face of Iranian threats.

[Austin](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL1N3JZ007&linkedFromStory=true) has meanwhile ordered the deployment of a guided missile submarine to the Middle East. The U.S. military had already said it would deploy additional fighter jets and Navy warships to the region to bolster Israeli defences.

On Friday, an Iranian Revolutionary Guards deputy commander was quoted as saying by local news agencies that Iran was set to carry out an order by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to ["harshly punish" Israel](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL1N3JW0U9&linkedFromStory=true) over the assassination on July 31 of the leader of Palestinian militant group Hamas in Tehran.

(Reporting by Eric Beech; editing by Caitlin Webber and Mark Heinrich)