Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said that Iran has decided to attack Israel.
“Iran has informed us that it intends to attack Israel. The world should demand that Iran pay a price for any aggressive action it takes,” Katz said, according to the Jerusalem Post.
The Iranian message was delivered to Israel through Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjart, who called Katz directly to explain that he had received this information from Acting Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri.
The Israeli media announced a little earlier that Israel is considering a pre-emptive attack on Iran if Tehran, together with its allies, decides to attack.
The meeting, attended by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Israeli Defense Force (IDF) Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi, Mossad chief David Barnea and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, took place amid preparations for expected attacks on Israel by Iran and Hezbollah.
The assessment that Iran is likely to attack Israel in the coming days or weeks follows last week’s back-to-back assassinations of Hezbollah military chief Fuad Shukr in Beirut and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Iran blamed Israel for Haniyeh’s death and vowed to retaliate.
Also, yesterday, the United States (U.S.) Secretary of State Antony Blinken told colleagues from the G7 countries that Washington believes an Iranian attack on Israel could begin in the next 24 to 48 hours, the reputable Axios reports citing sources briefed on the call.
According to the report, Blinken spoke with his counterparts amid U.S. efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region and prevent the outbreak of all-out war.
With the U.S. believing an Iranian attack is imminent following the killing of top Hezbollah and Hamas officials last week, Blinken told officials during the call that pressuring Tehran to limit its attack is the best way to avoid a regional war, Klix.ba writes.
E.Dz.
