Axios Reports U.S. on Alert for Potential Iranian Attack on Israel

Axios reports that the Biden administration believes that the Islamic Republic intends to attack Israel in response to the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, who was killed earlier this week in Tehran. Three U.S. officials told Axios that the U.S. is preparing to counter this potential attack. U.S. officials stated that the Islamic Republic's retaliation is expected to mirror the April 13 attack on Israel, but it may occur on a larger scale and involve Hezbollah from Lebanon. The U.S. intelligence community has received clear signs since Wednesday that Iran intends to retaliate. Two U.S. officials mentioned that it may take several days for the Islamic Republic and its proxy forces to coordinate and prepare an attack on Israel. One official said, "We expect to have a few tough days ahead." A senior Israeli official also stated that Israeli intelligence expects Iran to carry out a large-scale missile attack on Israel. A U.S. defense official noted that the rising tensions in the Middle East following the deaths of senior Hamas and Hezbollah officials have not prompted the Pentagon to deploy additional forces, but the United States has stationed at least 12 warships in the surrounding areas. The official, who requested anonymity, told the Washington Post that these ships include the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, its accompanying warships, and the amphibious ready group Wasp, which consists of three ships and over 4,000 Marines and sailors. The USS Theodore Roosevelt was stationed in the Persian Gulf on Wednesday, August 1, with six American destroyers. In the Eastern Mediterranean, three amphibious ships, USS Wasp, USS Oak Hill, and USS New York, along with two destroyers, USS Buckley and USS Roosevelt, have been deployed. According to the report, no American warships were present in the Red Sea, while the U.S. military has recently been engaged with Houthi forces backed by the Islamic Republic of Iran, which have carried out multiple attacks on commercial shipping in the region in recent months. Meanwhile, the Israeli government spokesperson stated on Thursday, August 1, that Israel is prepared for any potential retaliation from the Islamic Republic of Iran and its allies following the threats regarding the deaths of senior Hezbollah and Hamas leaders, and will respond "strongly" to any attack. Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, who is visiting Mongolia, called on "all parties" in the Middle East on Thursday, August 1, to avoid escalating tensions. According to the French news agency, Mr. Blinken warned that the Middle East is on a path toward "more conflict, more violence, more suffering, and more insecurity" and emphasized that breaking this cycle is crucial.