Iran is readying for a war with Israel while at the same time seeking to avoid one, according to a New York Times report that comes as the Islamic Republic waits for Israel’s response to its latest missile attack.

"Iran has ordered the armed forces to be prepared for war but also to try to avoid it,” the report says, reported from The Times of Israel.

The report cites four Iranian officials who say Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered Iran’s armed forces to formulate numerous plans for responding to the expected Israeli retaliation. They warn Iran will attack if there is significant damage or casualties, but may stay its hand if Israel only targets a limited number of military sites and weapons depots.

The officials — two of whom belong to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps — say that Iran will definitely respond if Israel hits oil sites, nuclear facilities or targets senior officials, with potential options including an attack with up to 1,000 ballistic missiles or the disruption of energy supplies in the region.

www.anews.az