U.S. officials have warned that Iran may be poised to launch a retaliatory attack on Israel as soon as this week, prompting the United States to prepare for what could be a significant confrontation. The warning coincides with an increase in U.S. military presence in the Middle East, which officials have publicly announced in hopes of deterring Iran and de-escalating regional tensions.
The Pentagon has accelerated the arrival of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to the region, alongside a rare public announcement about the deployment of the guided missile submarine USS Georgia. The U.S. assessment aligns with concerns expressed by Israeli officials regarding the possibility of an Iranian response this week.
National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby remarked that there is mutual concern shared with Israeli counterparts about the timing of potential attacks. He added that the U.S. must be ready for a significant level of aggression.
Tensions have escalated following the recent deaths of Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukr and Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, attributed to Israeli operations. The killings have raised fears that Iran might retaliate against Israel as it has done in the past.
On Monday, President Biden conferred with leaders of France, Germany, Italy, and the UK to address the rising tensions and the U.S. increased military posture. Kirby expressed confidence in the U.S. ability to defend Israel if necessary, but emphasized the ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation.
U.S. officials indicated that the deployment of the USS Georgia, equipped with 154 Tomahawk missiles, serves as a strong deterrent signal to Iran regarding American military capabilities. The USS Lincoln is currently in the South China Sea and is expected to arrive in the Middle East in due course.
Kirby noted that the U.S. continues to support Israel in preventing another major escalation, similar to events earlier this year. Meanwhile, the State Department is pushing for diplomatic measures to discourage Iran from escalating its retaliation efforts, as officials maintain cautious optimism that Iran will limit its response.
Despite calls for negotiations to resume, Hamas announced it would not participate in upcoming talks, creating uncertainty about the peace process. Additionally, tensions among Israeli leaders regarding hostage negotiations threaten to undermine diplomatic efforts to signal to Iran that a deal may be forthcoming. Nevertheless, mediators remain hopeful that discussions will proceed to finalize an agreement.