US President Joe Biden has sought to dispel speculation about an imminent Israeli strike on Iran, stating, “First of all, we don’t ‘allow’ Israel, we advise Israel. And there is nothing going to happen today.” This reassurance comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East following Tehran’s unprecedented missile attack on Israel earlier this week.
Iran launched over 180 missiles at Israeli targets in retaliation for the killings of several militant leaders and Israeli aggression in Gaza and Lebanon. The strike followed Israel’s airstrike that killed Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon, and Abbas Nilforoushan, a high-ranking commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
Regional powers are working to prevent the conflict from escalating further. Ministers from Gulf Arab states and Iran have discussed de-escalation efforts during a meeting of Asian nations hosted by Qatar. The Gulf states, concerned about the threat to their oil infrastructure, reassured Iran of their neutrality in the escalating Israel-Iran conflict.
The situation remains tense, particularly along the Israel-Lebanon border, where Hezbollah militants have been clashing with Israeli forces. The Israeli military has issued warnings to civilians in southern Lebanon to evacuate areas north of the U.N.-declared buffer zone, signaling a possible widening of its ongoing ground operation against Hezbollah.
Diplomatic efforts are ongoing, with leaders from the G7 nations condemning Iran’s attack and calling for restraint from all sides. The European Union has also condemned the attack, reaffirming its commitment to Israel’s security.
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