Iran, Hezbollah could launch attack in 24 hours: Blinken
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Iran and Hezbollah are expected to retaliate against "Israel" very soon following the occupation's assault on both nation's capital cities last week, resulting in the assassination of important resistance leaders.
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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken addresses a press conference in Tel Aviv during his week-long trip aimed at calming tensions across the Middle East, January 9, 2024. (AFP)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned G7 countries on Sunday that Iran and the Lebanese Resistance are expected to launch their potential retaliation attacks against "Israel" within the next 24 hours, Axios reported, citing three sources briefed on a conference call convened by the US diplomat.
Blinken said that the US believes both Iran and Hezbollah will retaliate, however, he added the timings and form of the attacks are unclear. He asserted that the two nations' retaliation in response to "Israel's" latest aggression may take place between the next 24-48 hours, beginning as early as Monday.
The Secretary of State used the call to coordinate last-minute diplomatic pressure with US allies on the Resistance forces to minimize their retaliation and restrict the occupation's response in an attempt to avoid further escalation in the region and prevent a full-blown war.
"We express our deep concern over the heightened level of tension in the Middle East which threatens to ignite a broader conflict in the region," the G7 ministers said in a statement, urging "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."
Role of the international community
The rising regional tensions have sparked, to an extent, the involvement of countries around the globe, with the US deploying its forces in the region.
US Central Command Gen. Michael Kurilla is expected to finalize preparations with the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) during his visit to "Israel" on Monday prior to Iran and Hezbollah's retaliation attacks, Israeli officials said. Meanwhile, the regime's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a meeting with Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant and heads of the military and intelligence agencies on Sunday concerning the upcoming response attacks to the recent Israeli aggression in the countries' capitals.
"Iran and its minions are looking to surround us in a stranglehold of terrorism. We are determined to stand against them on every front and in every arena — near and far," Netanyahu said before the meeting, highlighting, "Whoever seeks to harm us will pay a very heavy price."
Other governments in the region have also attempted to play a role in preventing a further escalation of war with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi visiting Tehran on Sunday to meet with his Iranian counterpart Ali Bagheri Kani.
"I didn't come here to convey a message from 'Israel' or to receive a message for 'Israel.' I came here to express concern about regional escalation," Safadi said after his meeting in Tehran, marking the first time in 20 years that a top Jordanian official has visited the Persian country.
The bigger picture
Tensions in the Middle East are rising significantly due to "Israel's" aggression on Iran and Lebanon, with the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran that occurred on Wednesday just hours after the occupation targeted senior Hezbollah commander Fouad Shokor in Haret Hreik, the Southern Suburb of Beirut.
Both Hamas and Iran vowed to retaliate against "Israel's" assault in Tehran against the Palestinian Resistance leader, while Safadi described the occupation as a "rogue state" for its heinous act.
