Media: Iran may strike Israel on Monday
American and Israeli officials believe that Tehran will decide to strike Israeli territory on Monday, August 5, the authoritative publication Axios writes, citing sources.
The publication also recalls that the head of the US Central Command, Michael Kurilla, had earlier arrived in the Middle East. And although the American general's visit was planned before the escalation, Axios claims that he will try to «mobilize the same international and regional coalition that helped protect Israel from an Iranian attack in April.»
The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Iran's next strike on Israel could be «stronger and more unexpected» than the one in April. The publication justifies its opinion by saying that Tehran «does not inform anyone» about its plans. The publication notes that last time, more than 300 UAVs and missiles were launched at Israel. At the same time, Iran notified diplomats in advance of the upcoming attack.
Earlier, it was reported that Israeli and American intelligence expected an Iranian attack on Israel on Saturday. The Türkiye publication reported that Turkish airlines have canceled or postponed night flights to Tehran. The Turkish publication suggests that this may be due to Iran's plans to attack Israel for the assassination of Hamas Politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh. German, American and British airlines have previously reported suspensions and cancellations of flights to Israel.
On July 31, Hamas announced the death of Haniyeh as a result of an Israeli strike on his residence in Tehran, where he participated in the inauguration ceremony of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian. The Al Hadath television channel reported that Haniyeh died due to a direct hit from a missile. The deputy head of the Politburo of the Palestinian movement, Musa Abu Marzouk, assured that this murder will not go unpunished. As a source in the IDF told TASS, the military of the Jewish state does not comment on information about the death of Haniyeh.
Later, the head of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence, Esmail Khatib, accused the United States of condoning the liquidation of Haniyeh. According to him, Washington knew about Israel’s plans to eliminate the head of the Hamas Politburo and allowed them to be implemented. “The United States gave the green light to the undignified murder of the head of the Hamas Politburo, Ismail Haniyeh, carried out by the Zionist invaders (meaning Israel),” the Mehr agency quotes the statement of the head of Iranian intelligence. The murder of Haniyeh once again showed the cruelty of the Zionist regime,” Khatib said.
It was reported that the United States was sending combat aircraft to the Middle East to help Israel in the event of a massive missile attack. At the same time, Biden, according to the publication, warned Netanyahu that the United States will help Israel repel the attack one last time if it itself escalates again.