Deep Concern of G7 Members Over Escalating Crisis and Widespread Conflict in the Region

Foreign ministers of the G7 industrialized countries expressed "deep concern" in a joint statement regarding the potential escalation of the crisis and the occurrence of a broader conflict in the Middle East. This statement was released on Monday, August 15, amid ongoing worries in the Middle East and the world about the consequences of a direct and combined military attack by the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hezbollah, and other Tehran-aligned groups against Israel. Since mid-last week, when Foad Shukr, a senior military commander of Hezbollah, was killed in a targeted Israeli operation in Beirut, and then Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas's political bureau, was assassinated in Tehran, the regional crisis has entered a new phase of concern regarding a new military conflict between Tehran and its allies and Israel. Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, has called for "blood vengeance," which many in Iran interpret as a necessity for blood to be spilled in Israel in the upcoming operations by Iran and its allies. The U.S. Secretary of State assessed in discussions with his G7 counterparts that an Iranian attack on Israel might begin on Monday. Joe Biden is also holding a special meeting on this matter at the White House on the same day. In Israel, while some assessments suggest the possibility of a preemptive strike in addition to defense against such a combined attack from Tehran and its allies, the Israeli Defense Minister emphasized that the country can quickly shift between attack and defense. The U.S. Defense Secretary also reassured Israel once again that the U.S. stands by its ally. According to Reuters, the G7 foreign ministers, in their statement on Monday, expressed "deep concern" over the severe tensions in the Middle East and emphasized that to de-escalate and prevent the "continuation of the current destructive cycle," tensions must be reduced and constructive dialogue must be initiated. The foreign ministers of the U.S., Canada, France, Germany, the U.K., Italy, and Japan, along with a senior representative of the European Union, signed the statement, stressing that no country or nation would benefit from further deterioration of the situation in the Middle East. The American news site Axios reported on Monday, August 15, citing several sources, that Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, in a video conference meeting with his counterparts from the industrialized countries, stated that an Iranian attack on Israel could occur within the next 24 to 48 hours. According to Axios, the U.S. does not know the exact timing of the attack's start, but Blinken apparently indicated based on assessments from American agencies that the possibility of attacks beginning on Monday is present. Concurrently, the White House announced that Joe Biden would hold a National Security Council meeting on Monday to discuss developments in the Middle East. Michael Eric Kurilla, commander of CENTCOM, the U.S. Central Army, who has been in the region since Saturday night, will continue discussions with Israeli officials on Monday to coordinate joint defensive operations against potential threats. Lloyd Austin, the U.S. Defense Secretary, reassured his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant in another phone conversation early Monday about America's defense of Israel. This was the latest in a series of conversations between the two sides in recent days. Netanyahu stated that Israel is in a "multilateral war" with Iran. General Gallant, during a meeting with several Israeli military personnel responsible for defense against missile and drone attacks on Israel, said that his country can act quickly in defense or attack. He stated that Israel is "highly prepared" and has "rapid response readiness." He added, "If the enemy dares to attack, it will pay a heavy price." The Israeli Prime Minister, in a speech on Sunday night, said that Iran and its proxy forces aim to encircle Israel with a "ring of terror." He added, "We are determined to stand against them on every front and in every arena, near and far; anyone who harms us will pay a very heavy price." An Israeli army spokesperson stated on Sunday night that there has been no change in the army's instructions for the public, but new guidelines will be provided when necessary. He said all citizens will be informed of the situation via their mobile phones in case of serious threats. Daniel Hagari added that air defense systems are not completely invulnerable, and people must be "vigilant." Isaac Herzog, the President of Israel, also assured the Israeli people in a speech on Sunday night that his country's forces are prepared to defend the people against threats from Iran. Mr. Herzog expressed his confidence based on the information available to him. According to Haaretz, Israel has apparently deliberately disrupted the GPS system since Sunday. The army confirmed a similar action four months ago in response to the threat of missile and drone attacks from Iran. According to the Times of Israel, during a four-hour meeting on Sunday night between military leaders and the Prime Minister and Defense Minister of Israel, the option of a preemptive strike was discussed. The report indicates that defense officials stated that a preemptive action would only be feasible if there is complete certainty that the intelligence regarding Iran's imminent attack intentions is accurate. Some former military personnel and Israeli politicians, including Gideon Sa'ar, who reports suggest may join the government coalition, stated on Sunday that Israel should not remain passive in the face of a potential Iranian attack and that if there is absolute certainty of an imminent Iranian attack, preemptive action should also be on the agenda. Jordan's Foreign Minister, who made a rare visit to Tehran on Sunday to meet with his Iranian counterpart and the new Iranian President, stated upon returning to Amman that Jordan seeks to end the escalation of violence and that the region must live in peace, security, and stability. Jordan emphasized that it will not allow its airspace to become a battleground for any country and will intercept any missile or drone. Additionally, the Qatari newspaper Al-Arabi Al-Jadid reported on Monday that Egypt has informed both Iran and Israel that it will not be part of the escalation of the crisis. The report stated that Egypt has communicated to Tehran that it will close its airspace to any military action that threatens regional stability, but this does not mean hostility towards Iran; rather, it is a measure taken to protect Egypt's interests and sovereignty. Turkey and Japan have also warned their citizens. Meanwhile, Turkey and Japan are among the latest countries to call on their citizens to leave Lebanon as soon as possible. The Turkish Foreign Ministry, in its statement on Monday, urged its citizens remaining in Lebanon who do not need to be there to take advantage of the remaining opportunity for commercial flights and leave Lebanon. Turkey has advised its citizens to stay away from the provinces of Nabatieh, southern Lebanon, Beqaa, and Baalbek-Hermel. The Japanese government also issued a statement on Monday urging its citizens not to remain in Lebanon. Unusual crowds at Beirut airport for people trying to leave continued on Monday. Hezbollah's drone attacks on Israeli territory continued, with the Israeli army announcing that in a drone attack by Hezbollah late Sunday night, one officer and one soldier were injured in the "Eilat Shahar" area in northern Israel. An army spokesperson added that this attack caused fires in farms and forests, which firefighters were dispatched to extinguish. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it sent a large number of drones towards Israel in a short period. The Israeli army announced that in response to these attacks, it bombed targets in southern Lebanon. The Israeli army will also conduct a rapid exercise in the "Rosh HaAyin" area in northern Israel on Monday.