Growing Tension in the Middle East: Israel raises military alert to maximum and US prepares for possible attack by Iran later this week
White House national security spokesman John Kirby announced on Monday (12) that the United States is preparing for possible significant attacks by Iran or its proxies in the Middle East later this week.
John Kirby, US Secretary of Defense - Photo Reproduction / Evelyn Hockstein / Reuters
Middle East tension reaches new heights with recent escalation in the hostilities between Israel and Iran. Since the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, leader of Hamas, and Fuad Shukr, commander of Hezbollah, in late July, terrorist groups, along with Iran, have made threats of revenge against Israel and its allies . In the last 24 hours, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) raised its military alert level to maximum, in response to a series of direct threats coming from Tehran.
Concerns are growing as the United States also prepares for a possible Iranian attack.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on Monday (12) that the country is preparing for possible significant attacks from Iran or its allies in the Middle East "later this week." Kirby told reporters that the topic was raised this Monday in a conversation between President Joe Biden and the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, during which they expressed concerns about the possibility of an attack.
The Context of Climbing
Tensions in the Middle East between Israel and Iran intensified last week. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that his country dealt "crushing blows" against Iran's allies. On Thursday (7), US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced on the social network X that he had contacted Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to report on adjustments in the posture of American forces and reaffirm "unwavering support for Israel's defense."
On Friday (9), a deputy commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guard said he was prepared to carry out Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's order to "severely punish" Israel for Haniyeh's murder. According to Ali Fadavi, quoted by Iranian media, the supreme leader's instructions on Israel's strict punishment and revenge for the blood of martyr Ismail Haniyeh are clear and explicit, and will be carried out in the best possible manner.
Israeli Alert Level and US Preparedness
According to the "Wall Street Journal", Israel has raised the alert level of its armed forces to maximum, while the Pentagon has sent a guided missile submarine to the region and is accelerating the arrival of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, equipped with F-35 fighters, to strengthen Israel's defenses. The US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, had ordered on the 2nd the sending of the USS Abraham Lincoln, in addition to cruisers, destroyers and a squadron of fighters to the area.
Furthermore, this Monday, the Reuters news agency reported that British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, spoke for 30 minutes with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in an attempt to reduce tensions in the Middle East. Starmer highlighted that a new war is in no one's interests. In turn, Masoud Pezeshkian also declared on Monday that Iran has the "right to respond" to aggression, in a conversation with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who urged him to avoid an escalation of violence in the region.
Israel's military spokesman, Daniel Hagari, confirmed that the country's defense forces are on high alert and that enemy threats are treated seriously. The Israeli Army is prepared to respond to any possible attack, but stressed that there have been no changes in guidance and that Iran's movements are being monitored. Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the tension faced by the population, asked for patience and assured: "We are ready."
