WASHINGTON, USA: The United States is bracing for possible significant attacks by Iran and other militant groups in the Middle East, which could occur as soon as this week, according to White House national security spokesperson John Kirby.
This alert comes after increasing concerns about Iranian-backed retaliation following the assassination of a Hamas leader in Tehran, an act for which Iran and Hamas have accused Israel.
In response to these rising threats, the U.S. has heightened its military presence in the region, reflecting shared concerns with Israel about the timing and potential scale of these attacks. Kirby emphasized that the U.S. must be prepared for what could be a major series of strikes.
Tensions have been high since last month when a missile attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights killed 12 youngsters, prompting Israel to respond by killing a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut. The situation further escalated with the assassination of Hamas’s political leader, Haniyeh, in Tehran, leading to vows of retaliation from Iran.
In anticipation of further conflict, the Pentagon has ordered the deployment of a guided missile submarine and accelerated the movement of the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group to the Middle East. However, the carrier group, currently near the South China Sea, may take over a week to reach its destination.
Amid these developments, oil prices surged by more than 3% on Monday, driven by fears of a broader Middle Eastern conflict that could disrupt global crude supplies. Meanwhile, Israeli forces continue operations near Khan Younis in southern Gaza, as international efforts to prevent a wider regional conflict intensify.
