In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Iran has declared its intention to attack Israel, according to statements made by Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz on Monday.
This announcement follows a series of intense diplomatic exchanges aimed at preventing a full-scale conflict between the Islamic Republic and the Jewish state.
The message was conveyed to Israel by Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, who relayed information from Iran’s acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri.
Katz’s revelation highlights the urgency of the situation as both countries engage in high-stakes diplomacy to avert further military action.
Diplomatic Tensions and Threats
“Iran has informed us that it intends to attack Israel,” Katz stated. “The world should exact a price from Iran for any aggressive action it carries out.”
Katz’s comments underline the gravity of the situation and the potential for an imminent conflict.
In a related development, Bagheri discussed Iran’s response to the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last week with his Bahraini counterpart, Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani.
While Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for the assassination, it is widely believed to have been behind the attack.
Bagheri’s statements, including a warning about the detrimental effects of ignoring Israel’s actions, have intensified regional anxieties.
“Silence toward the expanding evil acts of the Zionist regime will be detrimental to the regional stability,” Bagheri wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
US and International Reactions
The United States, fearing an imminent attack, has warned that Iran could strike within the next 48 hours.
The potential for Iran to coordinate its attack with proxy groups, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and militias in Syria and Iraq, has raised alarms internationally.
In response, President Joe Biden convened a meeting with his national security team to address the escalating situation. US CENTCOM Commander Gen.
Michael Erik Kurilla’s visit to Israel on Monday, where he met with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi, was described by Gallant as “a direct translation of US support for Israel into action.”
Biden’s administration is reportedly working to form a coalition of military support similar to the one assembled in April, which included the US, Israel, Jordan, the United Kingdom, and France.
Saudi Arabia has indicated it would not permit Iranian missiles or drones to traverse its airspace, while Jordan has expressed a desire for its airspace to remain neutral.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also engaged in diplomatic efforts, speaking with Qatari Prime Minister Al Thani and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, as well as with counterparts from the G7 countries and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani.
“The secretary has delivered a consistent message in all of these engagements,” said US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.
“We are at a critical moment for the region. It is important that all parties take steps over the coming days to refrain from escalation and calm tensions.”
Iran’s Strategic Moves and Alliances
Amid the heightened tensions, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized Tehran’s commitment to strengthening ties with Russia.
Pezeshkian’s comments followed a visit by Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu to Tehran, where he met with Pezeshkian and senior Iranian security officials.
“Russia is among the countries that have stood by the Iranian nation during difficult times,” Pezeshkian told Shoigu.
“Shared positions between Iran and Russia in promoting a multipolar world will certainly lead to greater global security and peace.”
Shoigu, who was Russia’s defense minister before his current role, also met with R.-Adm. Ali Akbar Ahmadian, a senior commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The discussions focused on the implications of Haniyeh’s assassination and the broader regional conflict.
Although Russian President Vladimir Putin has not publicly addressed the recent Middle Eastern tensions, Russian officials have condemned the killing of Haniyeh and urged restraint from all parties to prevent a broader conflict.
Russia, which has deepened its relationship with Iran amid its ongoing war with Ukraine, has been a significant supplier of advanced weaponry to Tehran. This partnership has further complicated the geopolitical landscape in the region.
The Path Forward
As the situation unfolds, the international community faces a critical challenge in managing the potential for a wider regional conflict.
The United States and its allies are working to deter Iran from initiating an attack while also preparing for the possibility of coordinating defensive measures with regional partners.
With diplomatic efforts ongoing and military readiness at the forefront, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether tensions can be defused or if the region will face a new outbreak of violence.
The global response to Iran’s threats and the actions taken by key international players will shape the trajectory of the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape and the stability of the region in the months to come.