Israeli media reported that Tel Aviv has sent a message to the U.S. and several European countries in recent days, stating that any direct attack by Tehran on the Israeli state will lead to an Israeli strike on Iranian territory. The Israeli army radio reported that Israel added in its message to the United States and several European nations that it is determined to attack Iran, "even if a possible Iranian attack does not cause casualties in Israel." The Israeli radio did not disclose its source for this report.
The "Times of Israel" wrote that the purpose of this message is to "prevent international pressure to avoid a strong response to the Iranian attack." The international community is pressuring Tel Aviv to limit its response to any possible attack by Tehran. At the same time, the U.S. and European countries are pressuring Iran to refrain from attacking Israel.
On Monday, August 12, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and French President Emmanuel Macron signed a statement affirming: "We urge Iran and its allies to refrain from attacks that escalate regional tensions and jeopardize the opportunity for a ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages."
Following this, the German advisor and the British Prime Minister separately warned Iranian President Masoud Bezhkian about the rising tensions in the Middle East. The Iranian Foreign Ministry described on Tuesday, August 13, the warning from the leaders of France, Britain, and Germany regarding a potential attack on Israel and the need to prevent escalation of regional tensions as a request "lacking political logic," stating that Tehran does not seek permission from anyone for retaliation.
These statements and requests come amid preparations in the Middle East for potential attacks by Iran and its allies against Israel, following the deaths of two prominent members of Hamas and Hezbollah. The Axios website, citing informed sources, reported that the latest assessment from the Israeli intelligence community indicates that Iran is prepared to directly attack Israel and is likely to do so in the coming days. The Wall Street Journal also reported on Monday, citing an informed source, that Israel has placed its forces on full alert for the first time this month, after observing preparations by Iran and Hezbollah to carry out retaliatory attacks.
On the other hand, reports indicate that the United States will send a submarine and a strike force to the Middle East. The Pentagon announced on Sunday, August 11, that U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin ordered the nuclear submarine USS Georgia to leave the Mediterranean Sea for the Middle East. John Kirby, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, stated that an Iranian attack on Israel is likely to be executed this week.
