Pentagon: There is 'definitely' a possibility of an attack by the Islamic Republic or its proxies this week, we are ready to support Israel

On Tuesday, Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder announced that an attack by the Islamic Republic on Israel is 'definitely possible' this week and that this threat should be taken seriously. In a conversation with reporters, Ryder stated that due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East and threats from the Islamic Republic against Israel, additional military resources have been deployed to the region. When asked about the likelihood of an attack by the Islamic Republic this week, he said, 'This possibility certainly exists. We must take this threat seriously and we are doing so.' In response to a question about whether the United States should send a clear message to the Islamic Republic that it would respond if attacked, Ryder stated, 'Our message is very clear; we support Israel's defense, and our recent actions in the region demonstrate this.' Ryder also announced that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group to the Middle East to join the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group in the region. Additionally, the USS Georgia guided-missile submarine has also been sent to the area. Ryder emphasized that this military repositioning is aimed at strengthening the protection of American forces and increasing support for Israel's defense. He added, 'Our goal is to reduce tensions in the region, but we are ready to support Israel's defense in the event of an attack by the Islamic Republic or its proxy forces.' It is worth noting that on Tuesday, August 23, President Joe Biden responded positively to reporters' questions about whether he expects the Islamic Republic to refrain from retaliatory attacks against Israel if a ceasefire agreement is reached between Israel and Hamas, saying, 'I expect that.' This question was raised in light of a Reuters report on Tuesday quoting three senior officials of the Islamic Republic stating that only achieving a ceasefire agreement in Gaza would prevent the Iranian government from taking direct retaliatory action against Israel. The news agency quoted a person identified as 'a senior security official' of the Islamic Republic, stating that if the talks related to Gaza fail or if Israel pursues a stalling policy in negotiations, the Islamic Republic, along with proxy militia groups like Hezbollah, will carry out a direct attack on Israel. In this context, two senior sources close to Hezbollah also told Reuters that Tehran is giving negotiations a chance but will not abandon its intention for revenge. One of these sources stated that a ceasefire in Gaza would likely make the Islamic Republic's response to Israel smaller and 'symbolic.' The Islamic Republic has promised to give a strong response to Israel in retaliation for the killing of Ismail Haniyeh. The Iranian government holds Israel responsible for this killing, although Israel has neither confirmed nor denied such action. Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader, was killed in Tehran on Wednesday, July 31. His body, which had traveled from Qatar to Iran to attend the inauguration ceremony of Masoud Pezeshkian, was buried in Qatar on Friday, August 2. The U.S. claims to have sent a message to the Iranian government that an attack on Israel would benefit no one. The U.S. State Department has agreed to sell advanced F-15 fighter jets to Israel. Joe Biden: 'I expect' the Islamic Republic not to attack Israel if there is a ceasefire in Gaza. An Israeli media outlet reported that Secretary of State Blinken's trip to the Middle East was delayed due to the possibility of an attack by the Islamic Republic. The Iranian Navy conducted exercises off the coast of Astara. The Israeli Defense Minister stated: 'We are closely monitoring what is happening in Tehran and Beirut.' The United States: Turkey should encourage the Islamic Republic of Iran to de-escalate tensions in the region. The Houthis have been accused of three attacks on a ship in the Red Sea.