Iran Rejects De-Escalation Efforts, Vows to Strike Israel
by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Israel is on high alert following the assassination of key terrorist leaders last week, facing escalating tensions with Iran and its proxies. Despite efforts by the US and Arab nations to de-escalate, Iran has threatened attacks on Israel, raising the possibility of a broader conflict. Amid these tensions, rumors from world leaders indicate that a retaliatory strike may take place over the next 24 hours.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a conference call with G7 nations on Sunday, warning that an attack on Israel by the Iranian regime and Hezbollah in Lebanon could start as early as Monday.
According to an Axios report, Blinken expressed concerns to the G7 leaders that both Hezbollah and Iran would retaliate for the recent deaths of Fuad Shukr, a senior Hezbollah official killed in Beirut, and Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas political leader, both of whom were killed last Wednesday. Axios reported that three officials familiar with the G7 call indicated a possible retaliatory strike as early as Monday.
The leaders of the G7 expressed their concerns about escalating tensions in the Middle East, stating, “We express our deep concern over the heightened level of tension in the Middle East which threatens to ignite a broader conflict in the region.”
They urged restraint, adding, “We urge all involved parties to refrain from perpetuating the current destructive cycle of retaliatory violence, to lower tensions and engage constructively towards de-escalation. No country or nation stands to gain from further escalation in the Middle East.”
The Washington Post reported that the Biden administration has alerted American lawmakers of a potential attack occurring on Monday or Tuesday.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump echoed the rumors and stated on Monday that there could be an overnight Iranian attack on Israel.
“Right now, I’m hearing there’s going to be an attack tonight by Iran on Israel… No top-secret information or anything. But I hear that Israel is going to be attacked tonight,” Trump said during an interview with YouTuber Adin Ross.
Despite Trump’s comments, officials in Jerusalem acknowledged that while the exact timing of a potential attack remains uncertain, they are prepared for an immediate assault that could happen at any moment.
According to reports, Israel is preparing for the possibility of a coordinated multi-day missile attack led by Iran.
Gen. Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), arrived in the Middle East on Saturday to focus on building a multilateral defensive alliance similar to the one that effectively countered most of Iran’s missiles launched into Israel in April. Kurilla’s itinerary includes visits to several Gulf states, Jordan, and Israel, with a crucial stop in Amman where King Abdullah II played a pivotal role during the April 13 attack on Israel.
Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin “has ordered adjustments to U.S. military posture designed to improve U.S. force protection, to increase support for the defense of Israel, and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to various contingencies,” according to a Pentagon statement.
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