Israel expects large-scale Iranian attack as U.S. sends submarine
Iran may make good on its promise to avenge the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh as talks between Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin have revealed that Israel is preparing for a large-scale military attack, according to Axios reporter Barak Ravid on August 11th.
Gallant’s ministry confirmed the call took place overnight in a statement released on August 12th. The discussion covered operational and strategic coordination between the U.S. and Israeli military, including Austin’s latest order to deploy a guided missile submarine to counter Iranian threats in the region, reported Reuters.
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The order comes as the U.S. has already bolstered its military presence in the region with the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group providing additional fighter jets to support the Israeli military.
According to a social media post by the U.S. military, the USS Georgia, a nuclear-powered submarine, was already in the Mediterranean Sea in July, though in a rare move, the deployment of the submarine was publicly announced in a Pentagon readout.
The statement read, “Secretary Austin reiterated the United States’ commitment to take every possible step to defend Israel and noted the strengthening of U.S. military force posture and capabilities throughout the Middle East in light of escalating regional tensions,”
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On August 10th, the deputy commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards was quoted saying to local news agencies that Iran is determined to “harshly punish” Israel under orders of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in response to the killing of Haniyeh on July 31st.
Israel has not claimed responsibility for the assassination, though Tehran has stated that the U.S. bears responsibility for the death due to its support for Israel.
Axios /Reuters and agencies
