Iran rebuffs calls for de‑escalation as tensions rise with Israel

In recent months, the situation in the Middle East has become exceptionally tense. Last week, there was an attack on Beirut, which resulted in the death of Fuad Shukr, a military leader of Hezbollah. The following day, in an attack on Tehran, Hamas' political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed. Both Iran and Hamas accuse Israel of responsibility for these attacks, although Israel has not confirmed its involvement.

In response to these events, Iran and its allies, Lebanese Hezbollah and Palestinian Hamas, have announced retaliation against Israel. Iran's position is clear—they plan to counterattack Israel, regardless of potential consequences. "We do not care if our response could lead to war," Iran conveyed to Arab diplomats, as reported by "WSJ."

Meanwhile, Israel is preparing for the possibility of several days of rocket and drone airstrikes from Iran and its allies. According to NBC, Israel expects the opponent to try to "exhaust" it. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during a Sunday security cabinet meeting, assured that every attack would be met with a response.

It is not yet clear what Iran's retaliation might specifically look like. The Israeli military command is also considering the possibility of "preemptive actions or attacks," reports Israel’s Channel 12 television.

Amid these tensions, the USA is urging for a reduction in tensions while simultaneously preparing an international coalition to help Israel counter the expected retaliation from Iran and its allies. This coalition, consisting of the USA, the United Kingdom, France, Jordan, and some other Arab nations, aims to thwart a massive Iranian attack on Israel, similar to what happened in April this year.

At the same time, the USA is trying to exert pressure on Iran, warning that its retaliation could harm the efforts of the country's new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, to strengthen ties with the West.

U.S. President Joe Biden has expressed his displeasure with Israel's recent actions, which have heightened tensions in the region. The main goal of the United States is to secure a ceasefire in Israel's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip as quickly as possible.

The war in the Gaza Strip broke out on October 7, 2023, after a Hamas attack on Israel. As a result of this attack, nearly 1,200 people died, and 251 were kidnapped. Since then, the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has been catastrophic, with most of the population becoming internally displaced persons. The death toll in the Gaza Strip has reached approximately 40,000.

At the same time, Hezbollah, which controls southern Lebanon, has been systematically shelling northern Israel. Thousands of civilians have been evacuated from both countries' border areas.

Since autumn, more than 500 people have been killed in Lebanese attacks, mostly Hezbollah fighters, while in Israel, there have been dozens of casualties. Israel has also been targeted by Yemeni Houthi rebels, who, like Hamas and Hezbollah, are part of the Iran-led alliance against Israel.