Several Western Countries Demand Their Citizens Leave Lebanon and Iran; Kurilla Went to Israel

As tensions escalate in the Middle East, several countries have called for the immediate evacuation of their citizens from Lebanon. At least one country, France, has also requested its citizens to leave Iran. Meanwhile, Michael Eric Kurilla, the commander of CENTCOM, who arrived in Israel on Saturday night, will begin meetings with the Israeli Defense Minister and Chief of Staff on Sunday, August 14, to coordinate U.S. assistance in defending Israel against potential attacks from Iran and its proxy groups. According to Haaretz, Israel and the U.S. are coordinating their activities to curb potential missile and drone attacks, with reports of the U.S. transferring the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, in addition to the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which will be stationed in the Sea of Oman. The U.S., Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Jordan are among the countries that have urged their citizens to leave Lebanon as soon as possible. On Sunday, August 14, France joined this group, urging its citizens to leave Lebanon 'as soon as possible.' The government of Emmanuel Macron also requested French citizens to 'temporarily' leave Iran. Additionally, some airlines have announced a temporary halt to their flights to Lebanon and Israel, and Turkish Airlines has postponed several flights to Iran. At least 21 Western airlines have canceled flights to and from Israel, and thousands of Israelis abroad are facing difficulties returning home, with some forced to pay exorbitant amounts for the few remaining flights. According to the Israeli Army Radio, assessments in Israel indicate that potential attacks from the Islamic Republic of Iran and Tehran-backed groups may begin this week. The highest likelihood is for widespread attacks from Hezbollah. Axios also reported on Saturday night, citing two unnamed U.S. officials, reiterating the assessment of an Iranian attack on Monday. Tensions in the region, which have intensified since the start of the Gaza war, peaked last Wednesday morning following the deaths of two leaders of Iran's proxy groups. Ismail Haniyeh and Foad Shakur, senior officials of Hamas and Hezbollah, were killed within hours of each other on the night of August 1 to the morning of August 2 in Tehran and Beirut. Israel has only claimed responsibility for the killing of Foad Shakur, but officials from the Islamic Republic and Hezbollah have emphasized that retaliation against Israel is certain. Hamas is recognized as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the European Union. U.S. President Joe Biden expressed hope on Saturday, August 13, that Iran would refrain from carrying out its threats against Israel in connection with the killing of Ismail Haniyeh. Biden, who has consistently emphasized Washington's unwavering commitment to Israel's security, has repeatedly stated that he is focused on preventing the escalation of tensions. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has recently spoken with officials from several countries, including Saudi Arabia, discussed with his counterparts in the UK and France on Saturday about preventing the escalation of tensions and achieving a ceasefire in Gaza. In Iran, Ali Bagheri Kani, the head of the Foreign Ministry, reported that on Saturday evening, the foreign ministers of Egypt and Jordan had contacted him to discuss the regional developments. According to Bagheri Kani, this was the second phone call between these ministers in the past 48 hours. International news agencies have noted that during the previous Iranian attack on Israel on April 14, it was reported that Jordan had intercepted several Islamic Republic missiles and drones on their way to Israel. Haaretz reported on Sunday that all Israeli military and security agencies, especially the Air Force, have been on full alert since last Wednesday to confront a wave of missile and drone attacks from Iran, Hezbollah, and other Tehran-loyal groups. Israeli media reported that advanced fighter jets capable of intercepting missiles have been patrolling the area since last Wednesday, and on the ground, the 'Hatz' defense system, designed to counter ballistic missiles, is on full alert. Israel has assessed that Iran may primarily use ballistic missiles, which take 12 minutes to reach Israeli airspace. Meanwhile, Axios also reported that the CENTCOM commander will travel to Jordan and several regional countries in the coming days. The Pentagon has recently announced some changes in the U.S. military posture in the region, stating that several ships are being repositioned and more fighter jets will be added. According to the Washington Post, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, along with its five frigates and destroyers, has moved away from Iranian waters and is closer to Israel, while the USS Abraham Lincoln has replaced it in the Persian Gulf.