Israel Katz: Iranian Government Informed Hungary of Planned Attack on Israel

Amid growing global concerns about the potential for war in the Middle East, the Jerusalem Post reported on Monday, citing Israel's Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz, that the Iranian government has decided to attack Israel. Katz stated that Ali Bagheri Kani, the head of the Foreign Ministry, conveyed the message of the attack to Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, who directly informed Katz of this decision by the Islamic Republic. Yisrael Katz further emphasized that the world must impose costs on the Islamic Republic of Iran for any aggressive actions it takes. The Times of Israel reported on Monday, citing two informed officials, that ceasefire negotiations regarding hostages between Israel and Hamas have effectively been suspended until after a potential Iranian attack on Israel and the appointment of a new Hamas leader. Although the Islamic Republic insists on what it calls a 'retaliatory' attack on Israel despite international warnings, these sources noted that there is no precise and reliable information regarding the timing of this attack. They also added that Hamas is likely to appoint its future leader in the coming days. According to these sources, Qatari, Egyptian, and American negotiators will resume talks for a ceasefire and the return of hostages after these two matters are resolved. One of these sources stated that the Israeli negotiating team's visit to Egypt on Saturday focused on the deployment of Israeli military forces in the Philadelphi corridor and the Rafah border crossing, and that Hamas did not even have an indirect presence in these negotiations, resulting in no progress. The source also indicated that Qatar had no representative in the negotiations between Israel and Egypt on Saturday. Concurrently, as speculation about an imminent military confrontation between the Iranian government and Israel grows, the Islamic Republic has issued a warning regarding aircraft flights in central, western, and northwestern Iran. According to this notice, referred to in aviation as a 'NOTAM', there is a likelihood of GPS disruptions throughout Iran, and aircraft have been advised to change their flight paths. GPS disruptions may be implemented to complicate targeting by guided missiles. In this context, Lufthansa Airlines, which temporarily halted its flights to Iran, announced that it would refrain from flying over Iranian and Iraqi airspace. Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing 'informed sources', that the Iranian government told some diplomats from Arab countries on Saturday that it does not care if its response to the deadly attack on Ismail Haniyeh leads to a regional war. Additionally, the public relations office of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed in a statement on Saturday that Israel designed and executed the operation that killed Haniyeh, and that the U.S. supported it. The IRGC threatened to respond to Haniyeh's killing at a 'time, place, and manner deemed appropriate.' This is while Israeli officials have not taken responsibility for Haniyeh's death in Tehran, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized that the U.S. was not involved in the killing of the Hamas political leader and was unaware of it. In this context, Yoav Galant, Israel's Defense Minister, spoke on Sunday night with his American counterpart Lloyd Austin amid escalating tensions over the anticipated Iranian and Hezbollah attacks on Israel. The Times of Israel reported, citing the Israeli Ministry of Defense, that Galant explained to Austin about 'security developments in the region and the Israeli army's readiness to defend Israel against potential threats from the Iranian government and its proxy forces.' Galant's office stated after this nighttime call that 'he discussed a series of scenarios and relevant defensive and offensive capabilities.' According to this report, Galant expressed 'his appreciation to Minister Austin for the close military and strategic coordination between Israel and the United States, including the current and future deployment of U.S. military capabilities and troop status changes in defense of Israel,' as well as 'the importance of U.S. leadership in forming a coalition of allies and partners to defend Israel and the region against a wide range of air attacks.' Lloyd Austin, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, also stated that he emphasized the U.S.'s strong support for Israel's right to defend itself against threats from the Iranian government, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis, and other terrorist groups supported by the Iranian government. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday during his weekly cabinet meeting that his country is in a 'multi-front war against the axis of evil Iran' and emphasized that Israel is 'prepared for any scenario, whether offensive or defensive.' John Feiner, Deputy National Security Advisor at the White House, previously described the increase of U.S. military presence in the Middle East on Sunday, August 14, as a defensive measure aimed at reducing tensions in the region. Feiner, in an interview with CBS News, emphasized that the U.S. has clearly stated it will defend Israel against any threats following the intensification of tensions in the Middle East after the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Following the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of the Palestinian group Hamas, and the threats from the Islamic Republic that it would respond to this action, diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions in the region and prevent conflict are ongoing. Among these, Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi called for an end to the escalation of violence in the Middle East during a rare visit to Iran on Sunday, stating that the region must be able to live in 'peace, security, and stability.' The IRGC announced early Wednesday that Ismail Haniyeh, who had traveled to Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Masoud Pezeshkian, was targeted and killed at his residence in the northern capital. The Islamic Republic and Hamas, a group that the U.S. and Israel consider terrorist and is supported by the Iranian government, have identified Israel as responsible for Haniyeh's killing. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied this accusation. Opponents of the Islamic Republic have expressed significant dissatisfaction with the Iranian government's actions, which spends substantial resources supporting militia and terrorist groups in the region. Prince Reza Pahlavi reacted to the killing of Ismail Haniyeh on Wednesday, calling him a 'mega-criminal' and stating that 'Ismail Haniyeh should never have set foot on Iranian soil' and his presence was 'an insult to our country and people.' He also described the Islamic Republic's officials' intention to potentially attack Israel in retaliation for Haniyeh's killing as 'Khamenei's game with fire' and stated that this war is not the people of Iran's war. Israel and the U.S. are coordinating a regional and international coalition to repel potential attacks similar to the Iranian government's attack on April 14. The U.S. Department of Defense, the Pentagon, announced on Friday that it is moving a squadron of fighter jets to the Middle East and maintaining an aircraft carrier in the region to bolster U.S. military presence to assist in defending Israel and protecting U.S. forces. The IRGC's claim follows a 'major defeat': Ismail Haniyeh was killed by 'short-range projectile fire.' Ongoing clashes between Israel and Hezbollah; two Israeli soldiers wounded and two Hezbollah members killed. The UN warns about the escalation of conflicts in the region: immediate action for de-escalation is needed. The U.S. Secretary of Defense emphasized Israel's right to defend itself against threats from the Iranian government. The White House stated: we will defend Israel against potential threats. The G7 called for all parties to refrain from provocative actions in the Middle East. The Wall Street Journal, citing 'informed sources': the Iranian government is not concerned about the outbreak of war in the region. The Israeli Defense Minister: 'We will impose a heavy price on our enemies.' Sky News, citing Western intelligence sources: the Islamic Republic and Hezbollah are expected to attack Israel next Tuesday and Wednesday. The crisis in the Middle East; France and Italy urged their citizens to leave Lebanon immediately. Netanyahu warns the Iranian government and its proxies: we are prepared for offensive and defensive scenarios. Axios speculates, based on three Israeli and American officials, that Iran is expected to attack Israel starting Tuesday. The U.S. and Britain urged their citizens to leave Lebanon immediately. Tensions in the Middle East escalate, and several other airlines cancel flights.