The head of US Central Command, General Michael Corella, arrived in Israel on Thursday to coordinate a possible Iranian attack that could come in response to Israel's bombing of the Iranian consulate in Damascus.

Kurilla is expected to meet with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Herzi Halevy, commander of the Israel Defense Forces.

Separately, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Gallant and, according to the Pentagon, told him “that Israel can count on full American support to defend Israel against Iranian attacks.”

US officials believe that Iran plans to target Israel directly and could target military sites on Israeli territory. Bloomberg reported on Wednesday that US intelligence indicates the attack may be "imminent."

It is noteworthy that Iranian sources told Reuters on Thursday that Tehran informed Washington that it plans to respond, but in a way that is not intended to lead to a major regional escalation. The sources also said that Iran will not rush, suggesting that the response may not come as quickly as the United States thinks.

It is likely that Israel bombed the Iranian consulate to provoke a broader war to get the United States to intervene directly, which must be factored into Iran's calculations when it comes to responding. Israeli officials threatened to launch direct attacks on Iran if a major Iranian attack occurred on Israeli territory.

Israel has a history of carrying out covert attacks inside Iran, but it appears to be threatening something bigger, such as air strikes, which would require American support. The United States is also expected to assist Israel in trying to intercept any Iranian missiles launched on its territory.

The Israeli army said on Thursday that it was on high alert and ready to defend against any attack with its partners, in reference to the United States. Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said: “We are ready to attack and defend using a variety of capabilities that the Israeli army possesses, and we are also ready with our strategic partners.”

Iran is usually very restrained in its response to Israeli attacks, but the consulate bombing marked a significant escalation in Israel's targeting of Iranians in the region. Seven members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were killed in the bombing, including a senior Quds Force commander and another general.