War in the Middle East
Concerns about attacks on Israel are growing
Israeli security forces arrest a Muslim man in the Old City of Jerusalem. Concerns about an Iranian retaliatory strike on Israeli territory are growing
© Ilia Yefimovich / DPA
For days now, eyes have been on Iran, which is threatening Israel with retaliation. But so far only one freighter has been arrested. Israel and the USA are on alert. The news at a glance.
Military tensions in the Middle East are at their highest in years. After the suspected Israeli air strike on Iran’s embassy compound in Syria at the beginning of April, in which two brigadier generals were killed, they have increased significantly: the government in Tehran is threatening its arch-enemy Israel with retaliation. Observers see the enemy countries on the verge of a military escalation.
USA pledges full support to Israel
How tense the situation was was made clear on Saturday by the lively exchange between government representatives from the USA and Israel and the corresponding communications, which can also be understood as messages to Iran. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin assured his Israeli colleague Joav Galant of full US support in defending against any attacks by Iran and its proxies. In a phone call, the two discussed “acute regional threats,” said US Department of Defense spokesman Pat Ryder.
US President Biden’s security advisor, Jake Sullivan, also spoke to his Israeli counterpart Zachi Hanegbi about events in the Middle East. According to his own statements, he reaffirmed the US’s “iron commitment” to Israel’s security.
New protection instructions for Israel’s population
Amid concerns about a possible Iranian retaliatory attack, the Israeli army issued new protection instructions for the civilian population on Saturday evening. Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari told reporters that from Sunday there should be no school lessons or other educational activities, no holiday camps and no organized excursions. From Saturday evening onwards, only a maximum of 1,000 people will be allowed to attend meetings. In so-called conflict zones near the Gaza Strip or Lebanon, only up to 30 people are allowed to gather outside and up to 300 people inside. At work, citizens should ensure, especially in these areas, that they can quickly reach a shelter if necessary.
There were no special instructions for Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. A high volume of travel is expected due to the holidays.
Region in turmoil
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Iran confiscates container ship
Meanwhile, the US and British governments condemned Iran’s actions in the Gulf of Oman. The Iranian state news agency Irna reported on Saturday that the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Navy had detained a ship with ties to Israel and that it was en route to Iranian waters. Videos from the agency showed commandos rappelling from a military helicopter onto the deck of the ship. Further information was initially not known.
The UKMTO, part of the British Navy, also reported on the case and located it in the Gulf of Oman, about 50 nautical miles northeast of the port city of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. Iran’s navy has seized oil tankers and container ships near the Strait of Hormuz in the past.
According to the US government, it is the container ship “MSC Aries”, which sails under the Portuguese flag and is owned by the British. The Israeli army radio station had previously reported that the freighter probably had, among other things, Israeli owners. According to the ship tracking service Vessel Finder, the ship, which was 366 meters long, was traveling from the United Arab Emirates to India. The last position was received on Friday afternoon when the container giant was in front of Dubai.
Israeli foreign minister speaks of “pirate action”
In response to the arrest, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz spoke of a “pirate action” in violation of international law. British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps and White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson made similar comments, calling for the ship’s release and the crew’s release.
The Strait of Hormuz, a 55-kilometer-wide strait between Iran and Oman, is considered one of the most important shipping routes for global oil exports. The US regularly accuses the Iranian navy of obstructing civilian shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and the adjacent Gulf of Oman.
Just on Tuesday, the commander of the Revolutionary Guards Navy warned against military operations in the Strait of Hormuz in an interview. “If we want, we can even close the road,” said commander Aliresa Tangsiri in an interview with the Isna news agency.
Since the Gaza war broke out at the beginning of October, conflicts in the region have increased significantly, including on the sea routes. In particular, Yemen’s Iran-allied Houthi rebels have regularly attacked tankers heading to Israel. Large shipping companies are increasingly avoiding the Red Sea route, the shortest sea route between Asia and Europe.