The Middle East is bracing for all-out war as Iran warns it will “punish” Israel after an explosion – which Hamas and Tehran blamed on Tel Aviv – killed the leader of Hamas’ political wing, Ismail Haniyeh, last week in the Iranian capital.
French President Emmanuel Macron X took to Twitter to urge all actors to “show responsibility and restraint” to avoid a regional escalation, having spoken to the president of the United Arab Emirates and the prime minister of Saudi Arabia about the situation in the Middle East. He wrote: “I have spoken to President Mohamed bin Zayed and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the situation in the Middle East. We urge all actors to show responsibility and restraint to avoid a regional escalation. An escalation is in no one’s interest.”
This comes as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told G7 allies that Iran could attack Israel within 24 to 48 hours, while Iran issued a NOTAM warning to pilots in its airspace, suggesting it could be preparing for an attack.
Hebrew media reported that Israeli leaders would consider a preemptive strike against Iran if there was incontrovertible evidence that Tehran was planning an attack. The Lebanon-based Hezbollah terrorist group, an Iranian proxy, has already launched rocket and drone attacks on Israel on Monday.
Beruit airport was a scene of chaos as flights were cancelled as hundreds tried to escape Lebanon, fearing an all-out war. Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Saturday repeated calls for UK citizens in Lebanon to “leave now” amid rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.
President of the United States Joe Biden was reportedly heading to the situation room to discuss rising tensions with his aides as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered US warships and fighter jets to be moved to the Middle East.
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