US President Joe Biden has expressed ‘great concern’ over escalating tensions in the Middle East following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31, 2024. Biden stated that the killing ‘does not help’ in reaching a ceasefire agreement in the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. The US President confirmed he had a ‘direct’ conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to quickly reach an agreement to stop the fighting in Gaza.The assassination has heightened fears of a broader Middle East conflict, with Iran and its allies vowing retaliation against Israel. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly ordered a direct attack on Israel, potentially involving a combined strike of rockets and drones. The US administration believes that Iran is preparing for an attack similar to the one on April 13, but likely on a larger scale.In response to the growing tensions, Biden has reaffirmed US commitment to Israel’s security against all threats from Iran, including its proxy groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. The US is reportedly preparing to deploy additional military assets to the region to support Israel’s defense against potential missile and drone attacks.The international community remains on high alert, with the US calling for de-escalation of broader tensions in the region. However, the situation remains volatile, with Israel, Iran, and their respective allies bracing for potential further conflict.
Key points
- US President Biden states that Hamas leader Haniyeh’s assassination ‘does not help’ in reaching a Gaza ceasefire.
- The US is preparing for potential Iranian retaliation, possibly on a larger scale than previous attacks.
- Biden reaffirms US commitment to Israel’s security against threats from Iran and its proxies.
- Fears of a broader Middle East conflict have intensified following Haniyeh’s assassination.
Contradictionsđź‘ľWhile most sources report that Haniyeh was killed in a rocket or drone strike, The New York Times reportedly claimed he was killed by a remote-controlled bomb planted in his room two months earlier.
However, this claim was later denied by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
