In the Middle East, a war could break out between Iran and Israel. The latest statements suggest that an attack seems imminent.
Latest information
11:56 – Iran threatens Israel with offensive a little more
Iran on Tuesday rejected Western calls to drop threats against Israel, saying it would not seek “permission” to retaliate against its arch-enemy, which it accuses of assassinating Palestinian Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on its soil. “The Islamic Republic is determined to defend its sovereignty” and “does not seek permission from anyone to use its legitimate rights,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said.
11:01 – Why could a war break out between Iran and Israel?
As tensions are at their peak in the Middle East, the origin of the acceleration of the conflict is linked to the assassinations of the leader of Hamas (Palestinian terrorist movement), Ismail Haniyeh, and the military leader of Hezbollah (Lebanese paramilitary terrorist group), Fouad Chokr, at the end of July. These two deaths are attributed to Israel, even if the country has never confirmed having been the author of the fatal shots against these two leaders. However, there is little doubt since this is considered to be retaliation after the bloody attack by Hamas against Israel on October 7.
Washington is planning “a series of significant attacks” that could occur as early as “this week” by Iran and allied armed groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon on Israel. Concerns about a military escalation in the Middle East are growing, after the multiplication of threats by Iran and its allies against Israel. The assassination by Israeli intelligence of Ismail Haniyeh, leader of Hamas, during a visit to Iran for the inauguration of the new president, led Tehran to promise a strong response. The Islamic Republic News Agency, which is under the authority of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, published a tweet showing a missile with the caption: “All is ready!”. A further sign of the rising tensions in the region.
Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian has said his country has the “right to respond” to any aggression against it. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaan announced on August 4 that although “[Iran]is not interested in escalating regional conflicts, it is necessary to punish” Israel. According to the news site[l’Iran)nesoitpasintéresséparl’escaladedesconflitsrégionauxilestnécessairedepunir”IsraëlSelonlesited’informationAxiosciting two anonymous sources, Iran is ready to directly attack Israel in retaliation for the assassination of the Hamas political leader and is likely to do so in the coming days. Several European countries have called on Tehran to “renounce” this.
Disagreements in Iran, Israel stands ready
An attack could come before the hostage and ceasefire negotiations in Gaza scheduled for Thursday, August 15. A timing that could compromise the talks. However, the situation remains “fluid” due to disagreements within the Iranian leadership. Israeli intelligence services believe that Iran has not yet decided on the timing and nature of its response. International pressure and internal debates could push Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to postpone or even restrict retaliatory measures against Israel.
Israel has not commented on Haniyeh’s death, but had vowed to destroy Hamas after the terror group’s unprecedented October 7 attack on its soil sparked war in the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country was ready to confront “Iran and its henchmen on all fronts.” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant briefed his U.S. counterpart Lloyd Austin on Iranian military preparations that suggested an imminent attack. Washington ordered the deployment of a missile submarine to the region.