Middle East expert: Yahya: Iran’s direct attack on Israel is a turning point

Middle East expert
Yahya: Iran’s direct attack on Israel is a turning point

The well-known Middle East expert Maha Yahya described Iran’s direct and massive attack on Israel on Sunday night as a turning point in the long-standing conflict between these two countries. “Frankly, we are on the edge of a dangerous abyss,” the director of the US think tank Carnegie Middle East Center told the US broadcaster CNN on Sunday. “We are no longer in a shadow or proxy war between these two countries.”

That the Yahya described Iran’s firing of more than 300 drones and missiles toward Israel as a “huge escalation.” But she believes that “the Iranians knew that most of it would be stopped, that the US, Britain, France, Jordan and others would help shoot down the drones and missiles.” Most of the weapons were intercepted outside Israeli airspace. “So I think, frankly, I saw it as a major escalation step, but it was very much of a light show.”

Referring to the Israeli government, Yahya said: “They are seeking military escalation at a time when only a diplomatic solution can move us away from the brink of all-out war across the region. (…) Nobody can win.” The USA must now demonstrate its influence in the region, even if this has now become even more difficult. “Frankly, there needs to be a regional ceasefire.”

dpa