"Iran Prepares to Attack Israel on Iraqi Territories in Days"

Iran, which has signaled a response to Israel's recent airstrikes on the Iranian mainland, is preparing to attack Israel inside Iraqi territory in the coming days, U.S. online media Axios reported.

Israeli intelligence officials expect Iran to carry out large-scale drones and ballistic missiles attacks on Israel in Iraq before the U.S. presidential election if possible, Axios said, citing Israeli sources.

In a related development, a U.S. official told Axios that if Iran decides to attack soon, it can be put into action quickly, but the U.S. does not know if the decision has been made.

If Iran attacks Israel directly within its territory but through pro-Iranian armed groups in Iraq, it could be an attempt to avoid any future Israeli retaliation, Axios noted.

Earlier, CNN quoted a senior Iranian official as saying Iran was planning a "certain and painful" response before the U.S. presidential election.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a speech to new military officers that Israel could attack Iran anywhere and that its goal was to prevent it from possessing nuclear weapons.