The Middle East is bracing for all-out war as Iran warned that it would “punish” Israel after an explosion – which Hamas and Tehran have blamed on Tel Aviv – killed last week in the Iranian capital the leader of Hamas’ political branch Ismail Haniyeh.
French President Emmanuel Macron has taken to X as he pleaded with all actors to “show responsibility and restraint” to avoid regional escalation, having spoken with the president of the UAE and the prime minister of Saudi Arabia about the situation in the Middle East. He wrote: “I have spoken to President Mohamed bin Zayed and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the situation in the Middle East. We call on all actors to show responsibility and restraint in order to avoid a regional escalation. An escalation is in nobody’s interest.”
This comes as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told G7 allies that Iran could attack Israel within 24 to 48 hours while Iran issued a NOTAM warning to pilots in its airspace, suggesting it could be preparing for a strike.
Hebrew media reported that Israeli leaders would consider a pre-emptive strike against Iran if it had airtight evidence that Tehran was planning an attack. Iranian-proxy and Lebanon-based terrorist group Hezbollah has already launched rocket and drone attacks at Israel on Monday.
Beruit’s airport was a scene of chaos as flights were cancelled while hundreds tried to escape Lebanon, fearing an all-out war. Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Saturday repeated calls for UK citizens in Lebanon to “leave now” amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.
US President Joe Biden was reportedly heading to the situation room to discuss the soaring tensions with his advisors while Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin ordered US warships and fighter jets moved to the Middle East.
THIS IS A LIVE BLOG. FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES…