The Middle East is bracing for a potential escalation of violence as tensions between Iran and Israel continue to rise, with Iran reportedly upping the ante by restricting its airspace in anticipation of a likely strike on Israel, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned on Sunday that Tehran could launch an attack on Israel within 24 to 48 hours, raising concerns about regional stability.
During a call with G-7 foreign ministers, Blinken shared intelligence suggesting an imminent Iranian attack, though he did not specify the form it might take. This warning comes in the wake of recent assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, which have heightened tensions in the region.
On Monday, Iran took steps that further fueled concerns. The country called a gathering of foreign diplomats in Tehran, where acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri-Kani criticized what he termed as US and European complicity in supporting Israel. "Such aggression cannot go unanswered," Bagheri-Kani stated on social media following the meeting. "The Islamic Republic's response will be definitive and decisive."
According to a US official who spoke with the Journal, Iran issued a notice to pilots and aviation authorities warning of potential disruptions to GPS and navigational signals. This warning, posted on the website of the US Federal Aviation Administration, echoes a similar notice issued by Iran on April 13, the day it launched its first direct military attack on Israel.
However, Iran later denied reports of issuing such a notice, and its airspace appeared to remain operational as of Monday afternoon, with regional flights continuing as usual.
The US is responding to the heightened tensions by moving more military assets into the region and working to assemble a coalition similar to the one that helped Israel defend against Iran's massive missile and drone attack in April.
The current situation differs from the April incident in that Iran has been less forthcoming about its intentions. Diplomats in the region report difficulty in obtaining information from Tehran or encouraging de-escalation.
The tensions have already impacted air travel in the region. German carrier Lufthansa announced an extension of flight suspensions to Tehran, Tel Aviv, and Beirut until August 12. Other major airlines, including Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Air France, and Air India, have also suspended flights to the area in recent days.
Despite these cancellations, operations at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv remained largely normal, with some travelers opting to leave Israel early to avoid potential complications.
The current crisis was sparked by the assassination of Hamas's political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran, and senior Hezbollah leader Fuad Shukr in Beirut last week. The Wall Street Journal reported that Haniyeh was killed by a bomb while staying in an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps guesthouse, though Iran and Hamas dispute this account, claiming he was struck by a missile. Israel has not publicly commented on the killings.
According to diplomats briefed on the G-7 call, Blinken warned that if Iran's potential attack on Israel is similar in scale to April's attack, it could jeopardize any future engagement between Iran and the US, who have held sporadic indirect talks through Omani officials over the past 18 months.
