US CENTCOM chief arrives in 'Israel' amid fears of Iranian response
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Gen. Michael E. Kurilla has landed in "Israel" for consultations on the Iranian response to the deliberate attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria.
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Gen. Michael E. Kurilla and Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant (Social Media)
Gen. Michael E. Kurilla, the head of the US Central Command, has landed in "Israel" for talks with Israeli officials, including Yoav Gallant, regarding the anticipated Iranian response to the deliberate targeting of Iran's consulate in Syria.
CENTCOM chief arrives Israel as intel says Iran strike imminent
— avi scharf (@avischarf) April 11, 2024
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Iranian officials have openly voiced intentions to retaliate against "Israel" following the Damascus attack, which caused the martyrdom of seven IRGC advisors.
Iranian leader Sayyed Khamenei affirmed that "Israel" made a grave mistake by targeting the Iranian consulate in Damascus, highlighting that the attack is tantamount to an attack on Iranian soil. He threatened the "wicked entity", saying that "it must and will be punished."
American and Israeli officials have been engaging in dialogue across various governmental levels to anticipate the Iranian retaliation.
Reportedly, it has been circulated that it is not a matter of "if" Iran would respond, but rather when.
US to protect 'Israel'
On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden stressed that his country's "commitment to Israel's security against these threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad."
In the same context, Gallant held Monday a phone conversation with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin concerning Iranian threats of retaliation. Austin reiterated the US' unwavering support to "Israel" amid escalating tensions.
Subsequently, on Tuesday, Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer spoke with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and touched on the matter, an official confirmed.
A senior Israeli official revealed that "Tel Aviv" has requested assistance from Washington to mitigate the Iranian response by conveying private and public cautionary messages to Tehran, as well as by demonstrating its presence in the region, Axios mentioned.
'Israel' trembles at the thought of an Iranian response
The Israeli occupation is reportedly on maximum alert amid an aggravated state of fear of an attack from Iran or the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon - Hezbollah, according to Israeli media.
So far, the occupation shut down 28 of its legations worldwide.
Earlier, seven Israeli embassies, including those in Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Turkey, were evacuated for the same reason, the Israeli Yedioth Ahronoth news website reported on Thursday.
According to the military affairs commentator for the Israeli KAN channel, Itay Blumental, some Israeli representatives abroad have been relocated to alternative locations and have also been asked not to attend public events at the current stage.
Read more: Israeli attack on Iran consulate greenlit by US, FM says
![In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had "engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)](https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/12/21/b4a69f2e-8682-43e4-9d37-49482b304ab3/3.png?v=2&format=webp "In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had \"engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)")
