By The U.S. has indicated that Iran and its regional allies may retaliate against Israel as early as this week, in response to the assassination of a senior Hamas political leader in Tehran last month. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby confirmed that the U.S. shares the concerns of its Israeli counterparts regarding the potential timing and scale of Iran’s reprisal, which might involve significant attacks.
Kirby emphasized that while it is challenging to predict the exact nature of Iran’s response, the U.S. is prepared to support Israel if necessary. President Joe Biden, in discussions with leaders from the UK, France, Germany, and Italy, reaffirmed the commitment to Israel’s defense and highlighted the importance of diplomatic efforts to prevent escalation. These conversations aimed to address the increasing tensions in the Middle East, with a focus on achieving a ceasefire and securing the release of hostages.
In a proactive move, the Pentagon has deployed a guided missile submarine to the Middle East and accelerated the arrival of an aircraft carrier strike group to the region. This response is part of the U.S. strategy to bolster its military presence and readiness in light of the escalating situation.
The conflict has further intensified with accusations from Iran and Hamas that Israel was responsible for the assassination, though Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement. Additionally, Hezbollah is expected to retaliate following Israel’s killing of a senior Hezbollah commander, Fuad Shukr, in an airstrike on a southern suburb of Beirut on July 30.
The region remains on high alert due to these developments. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza has resulted in nearly 40,000 Palestinian deaths over the past 10 months. The situation remains volatile as both sides prepare for potential further escalation in the conflict.
