The Washington Post reported today, Thursday, that a U.S. military naval buildup is taking place in the Middle East, according to a Pentagon official. The official stated, "We have mobilized 12 warships in the Middle East following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh and Fuad Shukr."
Additionally, U.S. officials told the Washington Post that they "are still working to manage the situation and no one wants a regional catastrophe." Israeli media reported that "instructions have been issued to Israeli embassies to raise alert status and increase vigilance in preparation for an Iranian response," noting that "Israel has informed Lebanon and Iran through diplomatic channels that it is ready for a full-scale war."
In contrast, Iran's ambassador to the United Nations stated during an emergency session of the UN Security Council regarding Haniyeh's assassination that "Tehran reserves the right to self-defense and to respond to Haniyeh’s assassination," urging the "Security Council to demand that Israel cease its aggression immediately against Gaza and the region."
For its part, the Financial Times pointed out that "American and European diplomats are engaged in urgent discussions in the Middle East in an attempt to avoid a regional war."
