A retaliatory attack on Israel by Iran and Hezbollah is likely to begin as early as Monday, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken told his colleagues from the G7 countries, Axios reports, citing sources.
According to the media outlet, Blinken initiated a conference call with his G7 counterparts in an attempt to exert diplomatic pressure on Tehran and Hezbollah to minimize the threat of a full-scale war as much as possible.
“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,” G7 ministers said in a recent statement commenting on the situation, according to the report.
Fears of a major regional conflict in the Middle East have intensified following the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh at his residence in Tehran, followed by the killing of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in southern Beirut. Both were killed in airstrikes in the last days of July.
Washington announced on Friday that it would send additional fighter jets and navy warships to the Middle East in the wake of the escalation.
Hamas blamed Israel and the United States for Haniyeh’s death along with his bodyguard, pledging a harsh response. The situation has led to rising tensions in the region, sparking concerns about the escalation of the ongoing confrontation since Israel’s operation in Gaza began last October.
According to estimates, some 40,000 people have so far been killed in Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
