Iran may refuse to launch attack on Israel
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (getty images)
Iran may be reconsidering a large-scale attack on Israel, but the US is still waiting for some form of response from Tehran following the assassination of a Hamas leader, according to Politico.
In recent days, the Biden administration has been working through diplomatic channels, engaging its Middle Eastern allies to pressure Tehran into rethinking its decision to launch a military strike against Israel.
Two senior US officials have stated that the US has warned Iran that a massive strike would only escalate tensions and could lead to direct confrontation between the two countries.
The administration has also urged Iran to reconsider its response to the explosion that killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. It is believed that his death was likely the result of a remotely detonated bomb planted in his Tehran guesthouse during a covert operation, rather than part of a larger attack.
According to Politico sources, Tehran is increasingly aligning with Washington's viewpoint, despite initially denying it.
The US officials added that through intermediaries, they have conveyed a message to Tehran, suggesting that if Haniyeh's death was indeed the result of a secret Israeli operation and did not cause the death of any Iranian citizens, Iran should reconsider its plans to launch a military attack on Israel.
The officials said that while they still expect some response from Iran regarding Haniyeh's assassination, it appears Tehran has revised its stance, and the U.S. does not anticipate an imminent attack on Israel.
French President Emmanuel Macron, during a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, urged him to do everything possible to avoid further escalation in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Iran has approached Egypt, advising it to avoid airspace on Thursday, August 8, between 4:30 and 7:30 AM.
Previously, RBC-Ukraine reported that the US had deployed F/A-18 fighter jets to a military base in the Middle East as part of the Pentagon's efforts to protect Israel from potential attacks by Iran and its proxies.
