Claims emerge that the US has sent reinforcements to the Middle East following Israel-Iran tensions
It has been claimed that the US has sent reinforcements to the Middle East following the escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran. Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz stated, "If Iran attacks us, we will respond and attack Iran."
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In reports cited by international media outlets and attributed to US Department of Defense officials, it was stated that the US has sent reinforcements to the Middle East to increase the protection of its forces in the region and to support regional deterrence.
On the other hand, two US officials told the Politico news site that Iran is formulating a strategy for a serious retaliation that would not draw a response from Washington and would avoid triggering a regional conflict.
The officials, who requested anonymity, stated, "Iran is planning a larger-than-usual air attack on Israel in the coming days, which will consist of a mix of missile and drone strikes."
Although both officials stated they were not entirely certain that Iran could carry out an attack on Israel without provoking a military response from the US, they conveyed that Iran does not intend to escalate the regional crisis.
One official noted that Washington expects Iran to carry out an attack on Israel sometime soon, possibly by this weekend.
ISRAEL-IRAN TENSIONS
Israel carried out an airstrike on April 1 on the consular building located within the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus. The attack resulted in the deaths of 7 people, including 2 generals from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated that Israel's attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus meant an attack on his country's territory, saying, "The evil regime made a mistake, it must be punished and it will be punished."
US President Joe Biden also stated that they would continue to provide "unwavering" support to Tel Aviv in the face of Iran's threats of attack against Israel.
'WE WILL ATTACK IRAN'
Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz had declared, "If Iran attacks us from its territory, we will respond and attack Iran."
Some countries have advised their citizens not to travel to Iran and Israel due to the escalating tension in the region.