Washington mobilizes defenses for Israel, fear in Haifa, and Iran threatens | News

The United States has stepped up its moves to support Israel in the face of an expected Iranian attack, while Israeli fears have escalated, especially in the city of Haifa which waved Hizb allah The Lebanese targeted it, coinciding with assurances from Iran that it would direct an “appropriate response” to Tel Aviv.

CNN quoted sources as saying that Washington is holding intensive meetings with its allies to prepare for the expected Iranian attack after the assassination of the head of the political bureau of the Islamic Resistance Movement (agitation) Ismail Haniyeh In the Iranian capital, Tehran, last week.

The network reported that American officials are working to rally support from allies to defend Israel. It added that they are pressuring countries in the region to help send a calming message to Iran and Israel, according to the sources.

White House National Security Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby confirmed that Washington has transferred significant capabilities to the Middle East, adding, “We will defend Israel if it is attacked.”

“I won't talk about our intelligence assessments, but we certainly don't have access to the mind of the Iranian leader Ali and what he is thinking.

The US official said, “It is foolish to assume that Iran's proxies will not participate in the attack if Tehran decides to carry it out, and we are prepared for that.”

Israel has been mobilizing its military and vital sectors for days and is on high alert, in anticipation of a response from Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah to the assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran and the military commander in Hezbollah. Fouad Shukr In the southern suburb of Beirut.

Netanyahu calls for patience

For his part, the Israeli Prime Minister demanded Benjamin Netanyahu Israelis urged to be “patient and calm” as fears of a possible response mount.

Netanyahu said on Wednesday, “We are moving forward towards victory, and we are prepared for both defense and attack.”

However, concerns are growing, especially in the city of Haifa, where Israelis fear serious repercussions from any possible strike due to the presence of petrochemical facilities in the Haifa port area.

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz likened the situation to “sitting on a powder keg”, after the Secretary-General of the Lebanese Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, referred to Haifa as a potential target for his missiles.

The newspaper reported that Israelis in Haifa are worried despite the Israeli army's orders to reduce petrochemical stocks in the region.

In the same context, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority said that hundreds of doctors joined the ambulance teams as part of the state of maximum alert.

How can the United States work to set the tone in the region, given its continued military support for Israel and its statements about stopping the war?#Gaza_War #Gaza_What_Next؟ pic.twitter.com/g6YWSKzwtU

— Al Jazeera Channel (@AJArabic) August 7, 2024

Bazishkian: We will not be silent

On the other hand, the Iranian President stressed Masoud Bazeshkian In a phone call on Wednesday, he told his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron that Iran will never remain silent in the face of aggression against its interests and security, and will act in accordance with international laws and treaties.

“By assassinating Martyr Haniyeh, who was our guest in Tehran, the Zionist entity seeks to ignite tension in the region,” Pezeshkian said.

“If the United States and Western countries truly seek to avoid a war in the region, they must force Israel to stop the genocide and attacks on Gaza and accept a ceasefire,” and stop supporting it, the media reported.

Reuters quoted Macron as saying during the call with the Iranian president that Tehran must pledge to call on the destabilizing parties it supports to exercise maximum restraint, and he asked him to do everything he can to avoid a new military escalation that would be in no one's interest.

And he was a leader Iran's Revolutionary Guards Hossein Salami confirmed yesterday, Tuesday, that the Iranian response to the assassination of Haniyeh will be “decisive” and will come at the “appropriate place and time.”