Iran has issued a stark warning to the United States, urging it to “step aside” as the nation readies itself for a potential response following a suspected Israeli attack on its consulate in Syria. The warning came amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East, with Hezbollah, Iran’s key proxy in the region, issuing a similar caution to Israel, indicating preparedness for conflict.
Mohammad Jamshidi, the Iranian president’s deputy chief of staff for political affairs, conveyed Iran’s message to Washington, cautioning the US against becoming entangled in what Iran perceives as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s strategy. “Step aside so that you don’t get hit,” Jamshidi stated, referencing the potential retaliation against Israel.
“In response, the US requested Iran not to target American interests,” Jamshidi added.
The United States has yet to officially respond to Iran’s alleged communication.
According to CNN, the US has heightened its alert status and is bracing for a “significant” retaliatory action from Iran, potentially targeting Israeli or American assets in the region. Similarly, NBC, citing unnamed US officials, reported concerns within President Joe Biden’s administration that any potential attack could target military or intelligence installations in Israel rather than civilian areas.
Bloomberg reported that the Biden administration, in an unusual move, directly informed Iran that it was unaware of Monday’s strike in Damascus beforehand, suggesting efforts to prevent attacks on US forces or bases in the Middle East.
While Iran has vowed to deliver a “slap” to its arch-enemy Israel, the timing and nature of the retaliation remain uncertain. It is unclear whether Iran will opt for a direct strike against Israel or leverage its proxy groups such as Hezbollah, based in Lebanon, for such actions.
The recent airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, which claimed the lives of at least seven Iranians including two generals, marked a significant escalation. Despite Israel’s past targeting of Iran-affiliated assets in Syria, this attack represents the first instance of striking an Iranian diplomatic establishment.
In response to the heightened tensions, Israel has implemented security measures, including cancelling home leave for combat troops, mobilising reserves, and reinforcing air defences. The country even took the step of scrambling navigational signals over Tel Aviv to counter potential threats from GPS-guided drones or missiles.
Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, confirmed Iran’s imminent response and indicated his group’s readiness for any escalation. However, he clarified that Hezbollah would not dictate Iran’s decisions.
Nasrallah underscored the collective efforts of Iran’s “resistance groups” in the region and reiterated Hezbollah’s preparedness for conflict. Despite the ongoing skirmishes with Israel along Lebanon’s southern border, Nasrallah assured that Hezbollah is fully equipped and set for any confrontation with Israel, signalling a volatile turn of events in the region.
