Following recent threats from Iran to attack Israeli targets, the US is warning its embassy staff against attacks. Israel says it is prepared for a possible attack.
After threats from Iran, several top US officials have sided with their ally Israel. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reaffirmed “the United States’ unwavering support for Israel’s defense” in a conversation with his Israeli colleague Joav Gallant, the Pentagon said. US President Joe Biden had previously made similar statements.
It was the second time this week that the two defense ministers spoke on the phone. The background is recent threats from Tehran to retaliate for a suspected Israeli attack on an Iranian embassy building in Damascus. On April 1st, two generals from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard were killed there. Iran’s spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei equated the attack with an attack on Iranian territory and said Israel must be punished.
Israel’s military believes it is prepared for an attack
Israel says it is prepared for a possible attack. “A direct Iranian attack will require an appropriate Israeli response against Iran,” Galant said in the interview with Austin. Army spokesman Daniel Hagari said: “We are ready for an attack and the resulting defense,” and Israel can also rely on its strategic partners.
Employees of the US Embassy in Israel and their families are no longer allowed to move freely due to the tense security situation. The embassy in Jerusalem announced on its website that until further notice they are prohibited from traveling outside the metropolitan areas of the cities of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Beer Sheva in the south of the country. “The security environment remains complex and can change quickly depending on the political situation and current events,” it said.
Blinken calls on other countries to appease Iran
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also commented on the tensions. He called on his counterparts in China, Turkey and Saudi Arabia to stop Iran from escalating. A Blinken spokesman in Washington said a number of phone calls had taken place in the past 24 hours.
Similar discussions would be held with European allies and partners. “An escalation is not in Iran’s interest. It is not in the interest of the region. And it is not in the interest of the world,” the spokesman said of the threats.
Nina Barth, ARD Washington, tagesschau, April 12, 2024 2:40 p.m