U.S. general visits Israel amid fears of Iranian retaliation

Head of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) Michael Kurilla arrived in Israel on Thursday for talks amid fears of an Iranian retaliatory attack on Israel following the killing of several Iranian commanders, reported Xinhua, quoting Israeli media.

In Tel Aviv, Kurilla met with Israeli military Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi to coordinate responses to a potential Iranian attack against Israel, Israel's state-owned Kan Bet Radio reported.

Kurilla also visited the Israel Air Force's underground headquarters for a presentation on the country's multi-tier defense and offense systems. On Friday, he is expected to meet the Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

An alleged Israeli airstrike on April 1 targeted the Iranian embassy compound in the Syrian capital Damascus. Seven members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were killed, including Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior commander in the al-Quds force, his deputy and five military advisers.

U.S. intelligence officials told Bloomberg on Wednesday that a potential Iranian missile or drone strike against Israel could be "imminent."

Also on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country is "in the midst of the war in Gaza" but "also prepared for scenarios involving challenges in other sectors."

Speaking during a press briefing, Israel Defense Forces Spokesman Daniel Hagari said that the army is highly prepared for a potential Iranian counter-attack.