Iran has dismissed Western appeals to refrain from retaliating against Israel for the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, in Tehran late last month.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Nasser Kanani, stated, “Such demands lack political rationale, are completely inconsistent with the principles and norms of international law, and constitute an unreasonable request.”
Furthermore, President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a recent phone conversation with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, criticized the West’s silence regarding the “unprecedented inhumane crime” in Gaza and Israeli attacks across the Middle East, denouncing it as “irresponsible” and a factor that encourages Israel to jeopardize regional and global security.
Amid fears of potential Iranian attacks on Israel, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered a strike group to expedite its deployment to the Middle East, following Haniyeh’s killing that Iran and its allies have attributed to Israel.
The White House has cautioned that there is a possibility of “significant attacks” by Iran and its allies in the coming week. Consequently, the US has deployed fighter jets, anti-missile warships, and a guided missile submarine to the region in support of Israel.
While Iran is widely expected to respond to the Israeli strikes, analysts anticipate that Iran will seek to avoid escalating the situation into a full-scale war, offering a glimmer of hope for de-escalation.
Pl subscribe to the YouTube channel of republicpolicy.com
In addition to potential direct responses, Iran could leverage its proxies in Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and Gaza to retaliate against Israel. However, besides Hezbollah, other factions within Tehran’s “axis of resistance” may lack the capability to inflict substantial harm on Israel.
Meanwhile, amid ceasefire talks, Hamas has reportedly fired rockets from Gaza at Tel Aviv. However, discussions are expected to resume on Thursday with a potential for a substantial agreement, despite low expectations.
The mounting tension in the region is further exacerbated by the ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza. The pressure for a ceasefire is escalating, particularly following a deadly Israeli airstrike on a school housing displaced Palestinians, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
