Spy satellites may have detected preparations for Iran's missile attack on Israel

WASHINGTON — Israel likely had advance notice of Tuesday’s missile attack because U.S. and Israeli intelligence services monitor the mobilization and deployment of Iran’s missile units, according to a former senior U.S. military intelligence officer.

How Israel, and ultimately the Pentagon, respond to the estimated hundreds of missiles fired at Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and other cities will depend on how many of them are intercepted by Israeli and U.S. air defenses, said Mark Quantock, a retired Army major general who oversaw intelligence for U.S. Central Command.

Firing ballistic missiles required Iran to alert and deploy personnel to launch sites, movements that can be detected by satellites, Quantock said. Communication to those forces may also have been intercepted.

Findings like those may have triggered the warning issued Tuesday by the White House of an imminent attack.

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Once such activity is detected, launches, like Tuesday’s, can happen quickly, Quantock said.

A senior White House official vowed “severe consequences” for an attack.

If missiles penetrate Israeli air defenses, causing significant loss of life or property damage, the U.S. could be drawn directly into a conflict with Iran, Quantock said.

“If, however, Iran swings and misses like they did last time ? where Israel shot down the vast majority of incoming Iranian missiles ? the U.S. response would likely be much more measured and likely not kinetic,” he said.

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The Pentagon will offer President Joe Biden a wide range of potential military options.

“It’ll be his choice on what to do,” Quantock said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: U.S. spy satellites likely gave early warning of Iran attack on Israel