The US has announced the deployment of a guided missile submarine to the Middle East, a move seen as a show of force amid escalating tensions with Iran following the assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. The deployment comes alongside the accelerated deployment of the Abraham Lincoln strike group and additional fighter jets and warships, signaling a strengthened US military posture in the region.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed concern over the escalating tensions in the Middle East, stressing that further escalation is not in anyone’s interest. He urged Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing the need for a deal that would secure the release of hostages and pave the way for regional stability.
US troops in northeastern Syria were targeted by a drone attack, the second recent incident involving US forces in the Middle East. No injuries were reported, but the attacks raise concerns about potential escalations in the region.
The Biden administration has reversed a three-year-old policy, lifting the ban on US sales of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia. The decision comes amidst heightened regional tensions and aims to strengthen US-Saudi ties, bolstering Saudi Arabia’s ability to counter Iranian influence in the Middle East.
Air India has announced the suspension of flights to and from Tel Aviv, citing the current situation in parts of the Middle East. The airline is offering full refunds to passengers with confirmed bookings and is continuously monitoring the situation.
The United States, Egypt, and Qatar have jointly urged Israel and Hamas to restart stalled negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza. The mediators, who have been leading indirect talks, set August 15 for the next round in Doha or Cairo, emphasizing that only a few details of implementation remain unresolved. While Israel has accepted the invitation, Hamas has yet to respond, with the recent assassination of their top leader adding further complexity to the situation.
Lebanon’s Hezbollah appears poised to launch an independent attack on Israel, moving faster than Iran. This comes after the assassination of a top Hezbollah commander and Hamas’ political leader. The US is urging de-escalation as tensions escalate in the region.
Russia has begun supplying Iran with advanced radar and air defense systems as tensions escalate between Iran and Israel. This comes ahead of Iran’s anticipated retaliation for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, which could potentially spark a full-scale war in the Middle East. The US and Israel have warned of an imminent attack, while Iran reportedly shows little concern for the potential consequences.
Iran has banned its airspace for civilian aircraft, raising concerns of an imminent attack on Israel. The move comes after the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh and escalating tensions in the Middle East. The US and Israel have warned of a potential attack, potentially involving Hezbollah, as early as Monday, while Iran has shown no signs of backing down.
Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi traveled to Iran for talks amidst escalating tensions between Israel and Iran following the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Iran blamed Israel for the attack, vowing to retaliate, while Israel has not commented. Safadi’s visit comes as both sides are on high alert, with Israel claiming to be prepared for any scenario and Iran asserting its right to retaliate against Israel. The visit follows the killing of a Lebanese Hezbollah commander by Israel, further fueling regional tensions.
