The US is bracing for increased threats against its Middle East forces, according to Axios. Learn about the anticipated risks and the measures being taken.
On Monday, a rocket attack in Iraq caused injuries to at least five American service members who were deployed there.
Axios reported on Monday that Hezbollah and Iran are preparing to strike Israel, leading the US to anticipate additional attacks against its troops in the Middle East.
On Monday evening, a rocket attack on a US airbase in Iraq inflicted injuries upon multiple American military personnel.
Yoav Gallant, the Israeli counterpart of US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, engaged in a discussion regarding the attack on Al-Asad Airbase as reported by The Pentagon.
After the recent assassinations of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukr in Beirut, Israel is preparing for possible attacks from Iran as well as the militant group located in Lebanon, Hezbollah.
There is no confirmation or denial of the Jewish State’s involvement in Haniyeh’s killing.
As per a US official familiar with the matter, Axios reported on Monday that the Pentagon anticipates further assaults by pro-Iranian militias on American troops in the region over the next few days. The report highlights how escalating tensions are causing these factions to feel less inhibited by Iran when it comes to launching attacks against US military personnel as compared to previous months.
According to US officials cited by Axios, there is an anticipation of two waves of attacks involving Hezbollah and Iran in conjunction with other regional groups.
According to the report, it remains uncertain as to who will initiate the attack and how they will do so.
On Tuesday, a statement from the White House revealed that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris received a briefing on Middle East developments in the Situation Room. The two leaders deliberated ways to safeguard their forces as well as formulate plans for countering any strike against American personnel.
The statement stated that the US leadership was also informed about regional risks, measures to de-escalate tensions, and preparations made by the US to assist Israel in case of an attack.
In April of this year, Tehran launched a massive coordinated attack involving both missiles and drones against Israel. The assault was in response to an airstrike by the Israelis on the Iranian consulate located in Syria’s capital city that resulted in the deaths of numerous high-ranking Iranian military personnel.
On this occasion, Iranian authorities have vowed to retaliate against Israel for the assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran which they deemed a “terrorist attack”.
Media outlets have reported that Peter Szijjarto, the Foreign Minister of Hungary, informed Israeli counterpart Israel Katz about Iran’s plan for an attack. This communication occurred due to non-existent diplomatic relations between Iran and Israel.
