US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Thursday “to discuss regional de-escalation opportunities,” Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder said in a statement. Lloyd Austin reiterated that “the United States remains fully prepared to defend U.S. personnel, Israel, and partners throughout the region from threats from Iran and Iranian-backed proxy groups,” said Ryder, who added that Austin He also “reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to a diplomatic agreement in Lebanon that allows both Lebanese and Israeli civilians to return safely to their homes on both sides of the border.” The Secretary of Defense “also reviewed the measures Israel is taking and should continue to take to improve the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, as well as the prospects for hostage releases and a ceasefire agreement,” according to the Defense Secretary’s statement. Pentagon.
The conversation between Austin and Gallant came after The New York Times reported, based on three Iranian officials with knowledge of the war planning, that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gave instructions to the Council on Monday national security chief to prepare an attack against Israel. According to officials, Khamenei decided to proceed after receiving a detailed report from senior military commanders regarding damage to missile production capabilities, air defense systems around Tehran, critical energy infrastructure and a major port. in southern Iran. Axios, citing two Israeli sources, reported that Israeli intelligence expects Iran to attack Israel from Iraqi territory ahead of next Tuesday’s US elections. Iran’s retaliation for Israeli airstrikes against its military targets last week will be significant, sources say.
Another report by US news site Axios indicates that Israeli intelligence is preparing for an imminent attack that would involve large numbers of ballistic missiles and drones, launched by Iranian-backed groups in Iraq. According to the report, carrying out the attack via pro-Iranian militias in Iraq could be a way for Tehran to avoid a further Israeli attack on Iranian strategic targets. Israel is currently in a “state of high alert” in anticipation of a possible attack by Iran. CNN, citing an Israeli military source, reports however that Israeli authorities are still evaluating the Iranian decision-making process to determine if and when retaliation for recent Israeli raids against the Islamic Republic will take place. The same source said that the latest Israeli attacks on missile production and air defense facilities in Iran have “created a dilemma for Tehran,” as Iran’s ability to strike Israel and defend itself against future Israeli attacks has much worsened.
That something could happen, including a new Israeli attack, is shown by the fact that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has convened the national security cabinet for Sunday at 9.30 pm in Tel Aviv. One of the minister’s offices reported this to The Times of Israel. The meeting will take place amid Iranian threats to strike Israel again and as the United States pushes for a ceasefire in Lebanon. Speaking of this, while Hezbollah continues to launch missiles at Israel, which responds by bombing the areas that are under Hezbollah’s control, the meetings held in Israel by the two US envoys, Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk, on the topic of a ceasefire in Lebanon have had positive outcomes, with a significant reduction in distances between the parties. Israeli state broadcaster Kan reported, citing a US official.
During their visit, Hochstein and McGurk met with several notable figures, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Shin Bet director Ronan Bar and the director of the David Barnea of the Mossad. The new general secretary of Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, spoke of a possible truce in Lebanon, declaring that the movement is ready to accept a ceasefire with Israel, but only under favorable conditions: «If Israel decides to interrupt hostilities, we we will accept this choice, as long as the conditions are acceptable to us. At the moment, there is no proposal that is satisfactory both for Israel and for us.”
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