The White House has warned that Iran could launch a retaliatory attack on Israel as early as this week, following the recent assassinations of a top Hamas leader in Tehran and a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut.
Kabul 24: US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby stated, “We have to be prepared for what could be a significant set of attacks.”
The US assessment is in line with a reported Israeli assessment of a possible Iranian attack as soon as this week.
US Bolsters Military Presence in Middle East
In response to the heightened threat, the US has rapidly increased its military presence in the region.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to “accelerate” its deployment to the Persian Gulf.
The USS Georgia, a guided-missile submarine, is also en route to the Middle East.
Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, reiterating America’s commitment “to take every possible step to defend Israel and noted the strengthening of US military force posture and capabilities throughout the Middle East in light of escalating regional tensions.”
Diplomatic Push for Gaza Ceasefire
Amidst the rising tensions, the US and Arab mediators are preparing to present a ‘final’ proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza on Thursday.
President Biden, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and Qatari Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani have urged both Israel and Hamas to resume negotiations after a prolonged deadlock.
However, significant gaps on critical issues persist, and expectations for a deal remain low, especially since Hamas has declared its opposition to ‘further rounds of negotiations’.
The Middle East finds itself in a precarious situation, caught between the threat of an escalating conflict and diplomatic efforts to avert one. As the US bolsters its military presence and warns of a possible Iranian attack, the region holds its breath, hoping for a ceasefire agreement to bring an end to the ongoing violence.
