The Times of Israel and Axios reported that on August 4, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told his G7 counterparts that the US believes Iran could launch an attack on Israel within the next 24 to 48 hours.
Mr. Blinken emphasized to the G7 Foreign Ministers that Washington considers pressuring Tehran to limit the attack as the best strategy to prevent a broader regional conflict.
Although the exact timing of Iran's potential attack remains uncertain, Secretary of State Blinken indicated it could begin as early as today (August 5).
The information was given by Secretary of State Blinken during an online meeting on August 4 to coordinate with close US allies to pressure Iran and Hezbollah to minimize retaliation and cool tensions in the region.
The increased alarm followed the assassination of senior Hezbollah military commander Fouad Shokor in Beirut on the evening of July 30 and of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31.
Days earlier, a rocket attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights killed 12 children and teenagers.
Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah blamed Israel for these deadly attacks and vowed to retaliate.
Israel admitted responsibility for the assassination of senior Hezbollah military commander Fouad Shokor, seeing it as a response to the Golan Heights attack, but did not confirm involvement in Haniyeh's death.
The firefight and rocket attacks taking place across the Israel -Lebanon border are becoming increasingly tense. Diplomatic efforts to manage and contain the crisis are underway.
