Blinken Warns G7 of Potential Iran-Hezbollah Attack on Israel
On Sunday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken informed G7 counterparts that Iran and Hezbollah might launch an attack on Israel as soon as Monday, according to three sources briefed on the call, as reported by Axios.
Why It Matters: Blinken arranged the conference call to coordinate with U.S. allies and apply last-minute diplomatic pressure on Iran and Hezbollah to limit their retaliation. He emphasized that minimizing the impact of their strikes is crucial to avoid a full-scale war.
Driving the News: Iran and Hezbollah have pledged to retaliate against Israel for the recent assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut.
Behind the Scenes: Sources revealed that Blinken believes both Iran and Hezbollah are likely to retaliate. Unlike the April 13 attack, where Iran used nearly 350 drones and missiles against Israel and was mostly intercepted, the exact nature of the upcoming retaliation remains unclear. Blinken mentioned that attacks could begin within the next 24-48 hours, possibly as early as Monday.
Blinken stressed efforts to de-escalate by limiting Iranian and Hezbollah attacks and controlling the Israeli response. He urged other foreign ministers to exert diplomatic pressure to encourage restraint from all parties involved.
Zoom In: Blinken assured G7 foreign ministers that the increase in U.S. forces in the region is solely for defensive purposes. Sources noted that Blinken expressed frustration over recent discussions with Israel regarding a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal. He indicated that a breakthrough had seemed imminent before the Tehran assassination, and a deal is now more critical than ever. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller declined to comment.
What They’re Saying: The G7 ministers expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions, warning of the risk of a broader conflict. They urged all parties to avoid further retaliatory violence, lower tensions, and work towards de-escalation. The statement emphasized that no nation benefits from increased conflict in the Middle East.
State of Play: U.S. Central Command Chief Gen. Michael Kurilla is expected in Israel on Monday to finalize preparations with the Israeli Defense Forces in anticipation of a possible attack by Iran and Hezbollah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a meeting with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and top military and intelligence officials. Netanyahu vowed to counter Iran’s efforts and stated that those who threaten Israel will face severe consequences. Gallant also spoke with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
The Big Picture: Regional countries are preparing for potential escalation. Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi visited Tehran on Sunday, marking the first such visit in nearly a decade. Jordan is concerned about potential Iranian missile and drone attacks crossing its airspace. During the April 13 attack, Jordan intercepted Iranian drones en route to Israel and facilitated U.S. and Israeli fighter jets in their interception efforts. Safadi met with Iranian officials and conveyed concerns about regional escalation, not messages from or to Israel.