US Anticipates Possible Iranian Retaliation Against Israel This Week
The White House is bracing for a possible attack on Israel by Iran and its affiliates as early as this week in response to the recent assassinations of key Hamas and Hezbollah figures, CBS News reports, citing White House national security spokesperson John Kirby.
“We need to be ready for what might be a series of significant attacks, which is why we’ve heightened our military presence and capabilities in the region over the past few days,” Kirby told reporters.
The Pentagon revealed over the weekend that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had deployed the USS Georgia, a nuclear-powered guided missile submarine, to the Middle East to boost the US military presence in the region in the wake of rising tensions. Additionally, Austin had instructed the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group to expedite its transition from the Indo-Pacific to the Middle East.
US officials recently indicated to the broadcaster that a limited attack from both Hezbollah and Iran could occur with little to no warning. Hezbollah is currently poised to launch attacks at virtually any moment, and Iran has made preparations for a limited strike, which could be coordinated with a Hezbollah offensive.
The White House has been on alert for an attack since Iran publicly accused Israel of carrying out successive assassinations of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah top commander Fouad Shukur in late July. While Israel has taken responsibility for the asassination of Shukur in Lebanon on July 30, it has not confirmed its role in Haniyeh’s death, who was killed in Tehran on July 31.
In April, Iran targeted Israel with over 300 drones and missiles, which caused minimal damage due to effective Israeli air defenses and support from the U.S. and other allies.
Kirby expressed hope that ceasefire negotiations would progress this week in Doha, Qatar, aiming to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
“We fully anticipate these talks will move forward, and they must. All parties involved should return to the negotiating table to finalize a deal,” Kirby stated.
Washington is concerned that Hezbollah’s potential involvement could lead to a broader regional war — something that the Biden administration has sought to prevent since the escalation began on October 7. According to the CIA World Factbook, Hezbollah possesses an estimated 150,000 rockets and missiles that could be deployed against Israel while it is still engaged in conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
