The United States is convinced that Iran will respond "in the coming days" to the humiliation of the murder of Ismail Haniyeh at home, which was not claimed but widely attributed to Israel.
Yesterday Joe Biden, in a phone call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended by US Vice President Kamala Harris, reiterated his commitment to Israel's security against all threats coming from the Islamic Republic and its allies , including terrorist groups that supports, that is, Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthis.
The White House said in a statement that the commander in chief "discussed efforts to support Israel's defense against threats, including ballistic missiles and drones, to include new American defensive military deployments." And yet the American president underlined to Netanyahu "the importance of ongoing efforts to reduce broader tensions in the region." Not only that: according to rumors reported by Axios, he firmly ordered Bibi to "stop increasing tensions in the region and move immediately towards an agreement on the hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza" , insisting on the concern for the escalation in the Middle East and adding that the assassination in Iran of the political leader of Hamas "did not help the situation".
In short, a confirmation of American intolerance towards Netanyahu's moves which immediately after Hanyeh's assassination had pushed Antony Blinken to publicly say that Washington was not involved nor had it been informed of the raid .
Meanwhile, there is no certainty about the date on which the Iranian theocracy could launch its response against the Jewish state. Although from the frenetic intelligence work in progress, with news bouncing from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, it would seem that a moment welcomed by Tehran for its symbolic weight and emotional impact could fall between 12 and 13 August, the date on which the saddest day of the Jewish calendar is remembered: Tisha B'Av, or the anniversary of the destruction of the Temple.
In any case, it seems taken for granted that the raids will be launched in the next few days.
Among the scenarios discussed, there are certainly two possibilities: a simultaneous attack by Iran with Hezbollah, or a separate response from each side.
(Unioneonline/D)