Germany Attack expected: Fear of new Middle East war grows
In view of the threat of retaliatory strikes by Iran and its allies against Israel, the USA is trying to avert a major war in the Middle East after all.
06.08.2024, 05:16
06.08.2024, 05:17
SDA
"We are engaged in intensive diplomatic talks almost around the clock with a very simple message: all parties must refrain from escalation," said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken after a meeting with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong in Washington. The exact timing of the widely expected attack on Israel is still unclear, but according to media reports it could be imminent.
US President Joe Biden and his security team retreated to the White House Situation Room. He and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed on the threat situation, de-escalation efforts and preparations to support Israel in the event of an attack, Biden said afterwards on Platform X. Measures had also been discussed to defend US forces in the region "and to respond to any attack on our personnel in a manner and location of our choosing".
Pentagon: US soldiers injured in attack in Iraq
According to initial findings by the Pentagon, several US soldiers were injured in an attack on a military base in Iraq, a spokesman for the US Department of Defense said. According to the statement, the Al-Asad airbase used by US troops and partners was presumably attacked with a missile.
Since the beginning of the Gaza war between Israel and the Islamist Hamas, militias allied with Iran have repeatedly attacked US military bases in Iraq and Syria. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and his Israeli counterpart Joav Galant agreed in a joint meeting that the attack represents a "dangerous escalation and highlights Iran's destabilizing role in the region", as a Pentagon spokesperson announced afterwards.
Iran and its allies in the region have announced that they will severely punish Israel for the killing of Hamas foreign leader Ismail Haniya in Tehran and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut last week. According to the Pentagon, the USA is therefore deploying additional warships and fighter planes to the region. The commander of US troops in the Middle East, General Michael Erik Kurilla, met with Chief of Staff General Herzi Halevi in Israel.
According to the Israeli military, the meeting was also about "joint preparations" to counter the threats in the region. According to local media, Israeli Defense Minister Joav Galant said during a visit to the air force's underground command center in Tel Aviv that the military must prepare for all possibilities, including a "quick transition to the offensive".
Report: Russia supplies Iran with air defense equipment
According to a media report, Russia has begun delivering modern radar systems and air defense equipment to Iran. Iran had previously requested modern air defense systems from Russia in preparation for a possible war with Israel, the "New York Times" reported, citing two Iranian officials who are said to be familiar with the war planning. The delivery has begun, according to talks between the Secretary of the Russian National Security Council, Sergei Shoigu, and senior Iranian representatives in Tehran.
Moscow maintains close contacts with Tehran, but also has contacts with Israel. The Russian government called on all sides to exercise restraint.
In view of the impending attack on Israel, planes bound for Jordan are to be prepared for a possible route change. All arriving aircraft must be refueled in advance with fuel for an additional 45 minutes of flight time, according to a safety notice issued by the kingdom's civil aviation authority. In the event of an attack, they would have enough fuel to change their route at short notice and land in a neighboring country. The Jordanian authority's advice is valid until midnight tonight (CEST).
Iran attacked Israel directly for the first time in April. During the attack with more than 300 drones, missiles and cruise missiles, Jordan was the first country in the region to close its airspace.
German Armed Forces ready for major evacuation operation
In view of the worsening situation, the German Armed Forces are ready for a large-scale operation to evacuate German citizens. To this end, A400M transport aircraft and soldiers are being kept ready at the airbase in Wunstorf, Lower Saxony, and can take off at short notice, as explained to the German Press Agency. The navy is also making preparations. The mission could primarily involve the evacuation of Germans who have remained in Lebanon despite repeated calls to leave.
Meanwhile, Iran wants to discuss the killing of Hamas foreign leader Hanija with other Islamic countries. To this end, an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at foreign minister level is planned for Wednesday in Saudi Arabia, where the OIC is based. The meeting in Jeddah is to discuss the "crimes of the Israeli occupation", including the "assassination" of Haniya, according to the OIC, to which 57 Islamic countries belong.
Iran and Hamas hold Israel responsible for the killing of Haniya last week, but Israel has not yet commented on the matter.
Biden seeks de-escalation
In view of growing concerns about an escalation, US President Biden consulted with Jordan's King Abdullah II in a telephone call. In the conversation, the two discussed their efforts to de-escalate tensions, including by brokering an agreement on an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages held by Hamas, according to the White House.
The indirect negotiations on such an agreement between Israel and Hamas have been going round in circles for months. As the two sides are not negotiating directly with each other, the USA, Egypt and Qatar are mediating. A further round of talks between an Israeli delegation and Egyptian negotiators ended at the weekend in Cairo without any results, as reported by Israeli media.
The negotiations would only resume once Iran had paid for Haniya's assassination and Hamas had chosen a successor for the slain foreign leader, two officials familiar with the matter told the Times of Israel. Haniya was one of Hamas' main negotiators in the indirect talks on a ceasefire and hostage release.
