Biden, when asked if he expected Iran to refrain from launching a retaliatory strike if an agreement was reached on Gaza: That is my expectation.
There are currently around 40,000 US troops in the CENTCOM area of operation following the recent surge of military assets and forces to the Middle East. There are usually about 32,000 in the AOR, per Pentagon
Pentagon: We continue to monitor the situation in the Middle East and calm tensions
Axios correspondent cites two informed sources: Blinken postponed his visit to the Middle East and will not travel to the region tonight
US State Department: No one will benefit from potential Iranian escalation
Iran's mission to the UN in New York told Reuters that Tehran would not have a representative present on the sidelines of the Gaza ceasefire talks, due to begin on Thursday in either Egypt or Qatar.Two sources earlier told Reuters Iran was considering sending a representative to the ceasefire talks. However, they said the representative would not directly attend the meetings but would engage in behind-the-scenes discussions "to maintain a line of diplomatic communication" with the US while negotiations proceed
4 month agoDefense Minister Yoav Gallant says Israel is closely tracking its enemies, as the country expects an attack from Iran and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah. "I am aware of the tensions and the great burden placed on the citizens of Israel. We are following what is happening, in Beirut, in Tehran, and in other places"
Iranian Mehr News Agency: Military exercises begin in the north of the country
Iranian officials told Reuters that only a ceasefire in Gaza would prevent a response to Israel over the killing of Hamas leader
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani receives a phone call from the US Secretary of State
Iranian President: War is not in the interest of any country, and punitive response to the aggressor is a legitimate right of countries to stop crime and aggression
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman: Those who call on Tehran to refrain from responding to Israel lack political logic
FBI says it is investigating an alleged hack of Donald Trump's campaign by Iran
4 month agoUK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Iranian President Pezeshkian had thirty minute long phone conversation this evening as part of global de-escalation efforts. UK asks Iran to stand down on its threat about a military attack against Israel
Another U.S. destroyer, the USS Laboon, has moved into the eastern Mediterranean Sea after transiting the Suez Canal from the Red Sea, defense official says. It joins the nearby destroyers USS Bulkeley, USS Roosevelt and the three-ship amphib TF in region led by USS Wasp
Joint Statement: US, European Allies Express Support for Defending Israel in the Face of Iranian Attack
Israeli army spokesperson: We are monitoring developments in Iran in cooperation with our partners
President Biden spoke mid morning with the leaders of UK, France, Germany and Italy about Middle East, John Kirby says
The White House: shares the Israeli assessment that Iran and its proxies may attack Israel soon
Iran has taken significant preparatory steps in its missile and UAV arrays similar to those it took before the attack on Israel in April, this is what senior Israeli and American officials told
White House: Austin made adjustments to US troop position in region
Wall Street Journal: Israel puts its army on high alert in anticipation of an attack by Iran or Hezbollah
The Israeli army spokesman will make a statement this evening; there is no change in the directives of the Home Front Command
US warns of “strong” response if Iran transfers missiles to Russia
Israeli Chief of Staff holds situation assessment session with military leaders
Iranian President: The right to respond to the aggressor is reserved for the state that is being attacked according to all international standards
4 month agoDefense Minister Yoav Gallant says Israel has been bolstering its defenses in recent days amid an anticipated Iranian and Hezbollah attack on the country, as well as preparing potential attacks as a response, or preemptive actions if needed. "We are in the days of vigilance and readiness, the threats from Tehran and Beirut may materialize and it is important to explain to everyone that readiness, preparedness, and vigilance are not synonyms for fear and panic," says Gallant at a meeting of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
4 month agoIranian media outlets reported that Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Deputy for Strategic Affairs of Masoud Pezeshkian, has resigned. He announced his decision after releasing a critical statement in response to the President’s proposed cabinet
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin orders USS Abe Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, equipped with F-35C fighters, to accelerate its transit to Middle East to complement @TheRealCVN71. Austin also orders the USS Georgia guided missile submarine to the region
4 month ago"Should the US forces use the Iraqi airspace to carry out attacks against Iran or Iraqi people, we will not be bound by any restrictions," the coalition of Iran-backed Iraqi militants said in a statement, according to Hezbollah-affiliated @AlMayadeenNews
