News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/3rd August 2024
As tensions escalate in the Middle East, the United States is preparing to deploy fighter jets to support Israel, fearing a potential Iranian attack following two significant assassinations. This move, aimed at bolstering Israel’s defenses against possible missile or drone strikes, underscores the heightened state of alert in the region.
On Friday, President Joe Biden reportedly assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the US would protect Israel from an Iranian assault. However, Biden also emphasized that the US would not support Israel if it chose to escalate the conflict further by retaliating. This stance was conveyed during a tense phone call between the two leaders, as reported by Axios, where Biden expressed his frustrations and raised his voice.
In response to the rising threat, France has urged its citizens to leave Iran immediately, anticipating that the Islamic Republic may retaliate against Israel following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Israeli officials, preparing for the worst, have equipped ministers with satellite phones and advised Jerusalem residents to ready their bomb shelters, though they stressed there should be no panic.
Iran has vowed to avenge Haniyeh’s death, who was killed by a remote-controlled explosive device in Tehran, in what is suspected to be a Mossad operation. Tehran is reportedly preparing a missile or drone attack targeting military installations in Tel Aviv. A presenter on Iranian state TV hinted at a major response, saying, “In just a few hours, the world will witness extraordinary scenes and significant events.”
While some experts caution that Iran’s response may be measured to avoid further escalation, the region remains on high alert. Lebanon’s Hezbollah is also preparing for broader conflict, moving military equipment into central Beirut.
The French foreign ministry has advised all French nationals in Iran to leave as soon as possible due to the “increased risk of a military escalation.” Gérald Darmanin, France’s interior minister, has called for heightened security for Jewish communities in France amid the heightened tensions.
The assassination of Haniyeh, coupled with the killing of Fu’ad Shukr, a top Hezbollah commander in Beirut, has led to numerous airlines canceling flights to Lebanon and Israel. Air India has canceled all flights to and from Israel until August 8, while Polish airline Lot has canceled eight flights to Lebanon and Israel.
In response to the growing threat, the US is preparing to send additional combat aircraft to the region to protect both Israel and US troops from potential Iranian attacks. This deployment aims to bolster defenses against ballistic missiles and drones, as detailed in a phone call between Biden and Netanyahu.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes against Hezbollah targets continued, with a drone strike targeting a Hezbollah member attempting to launch rockets toward Israel. The UK Foreign Office has advised against all travel to Lebanon and Iran, urging those currently in Lebanon to leave while commercial options remain available.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey, who met with Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant, discussed Israel Defense Forces’ readiness to defend on all fronts. Healey emphasized the need for a coalition to defend against Iran and its proxies, while calling for immediate de-escalation and diplomacy to resolve the conflict.
The recent spike in violence and the potential for further conflict underscore the fragile state of peace in the Middle East. The international community continues to watch closely as the situation develops, hoping for a diplomatic resolution to avert a full-scale war.
