Iran-Israel war: In a rapidly escalating situation, Iran is preparing to launch its first retaliatory strike against Israel within the next 24 hours, the recent assassinations of Hezbollah military chief Fuad Shukr in Beirut and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran has ignited the situation. The United States, through Secretary of State Antony Blinken, has expressed grave concerns to the G7 nations about the imminent threat.
According to Axios, the U.S. has intelligence suggesting that Iran and Hezbollah are gearing up for an attack on Israel. Blinken has been in contact with G7 leaders, urging them to apply diplomatic pressure on Iran to prevent a full-scale regional conflict. While the specific nature of the anticipated attack remains unclear, the urgency of the situation has prompted significant diplomatic and military activity.
President Joe Biden is scheduled to convene his national security team on Monday to address the escalating tensions. He is also expected to speak with Jordan’s King Abdullah as part of efforts to stabilize the region.
In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a high-profile meeting with senior military officials, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Mossad head David Barnea, and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar. The discussion reportedly centered on the possibility of a preemptive strike against Iran if substantial evidence emerged that Tehran was preparing an attack. However, security officials advised caution, suggesting that such a strike would only be justified with clear intelligence indicating an imminent Iranian assault.
Netanyahu, addressing the nation on Saturday, stated, “Israel is in a multifront war against Iran’s axis of evil. We are striking every one of its arms with great force. We are prepared for any scenario – both offensively and defensively.”
The recent assassinations and the resultant threats of retaliation have significantly heightened the risk of a wider regional conflict. The coming days are crucial as both sides brace for potential military engagements, with the international community closely monitoring the developments to avert a catastrophic escalation in the Middle East. https://youtu.be/SJhMGZhO92k?si=ZHStq2DmoJVad4Bt
