U.S. and Israeli officials warn that Iran's retaliatory strike against Israel could come as early as tomorrow.
The looming threat, a direct response to the assassination of senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, has put the entire Middle East on high alert.
According to reports from Axios, three high-level sources in the U.S. and Israel believe Tehran and its proxies are in the final stages of military planning and seeking political approvals for the attack. This ominous preparation comes in the wake of a tense phone call between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu, described by one U.S. official as "highly charged."
During the call, Biden expressed deep concern that Haniyeh's assassination could derail ongoing ceasefire talks. Netanyahu, while denying any intention to block a ceasefire, admitted that the operation would delay progress towards a deal by several days. This acknowledgment has heightened fears in Washington that the delicate peace process may be unraveling.
The New York Times reports that Biden privately voiced concerns that the action in Tehran could ignite a wider regional war – a scenario the U.S. has been desperately trying to avoid. Adding to the intrigue, Israel reportedly did not inform the U.S. of its plans to eliminate Haniyeh, despite Netanyahu's recent visit to the White House.
In a parallel development, foreign ambassadors in Beirut have been working behind the scenes to moderate Hezbollah's response. According to the pro-Saudi newspaper "Asharq Al-Awsat," diplomats are advising the group against an immediate, all-out retaliation for the killing of their military chief. The suggestion is that a staggered response might allow more time for international mediation efforts to prevent a region-wide escalation.
Meanwhile, Syria's Assad regime is reportedly weighing its options for joining the conflict. Sources close to the pro-Iranian camp suggest that Assad is currently refraining from direct involvement, preferring to bide his time and choose the most opportune moment to enter the fray.
As Israel's defense systems remain on high alert and civilians are urged to stay vigilant, the coming hours and days are critical. The specter of a full-scale war looms large over the Middle East, with each passing moment bringing the region closer to what could be a catastrophic confrontation. The world watches with bated breath, hoping against hope that diplomacy might yet prevail in the face of this rapidly escalating crisis.
* Kann News contributed to this report.