Iran has warned that it will launch an attack on Israel if ceasefire negotiations with the Palestinian terror group Hamas in Gaza fail. The threat comes amid heightened tensions between the two countries following the assassination of a senior Hamas official in Tehran.
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Israel-Iran Tensions Escalate: Iran Threatens Attack if Ceasefire Talks Collapse
A senior Iranian security official has stated that Iran and its allies, including Hezbollah, will launch a direct attack on Israel if they believe Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government is prolonging negotiations with Hamas. Only a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas would prevent Iran from taking action after the assassination of former Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in late July, according to three senior Iranian officials who spoke to Reuters. However, the sources did not specify a timeframe for Iran's patience.
Hamas announced on Sunday that it would not participate in new ceasefire negotiations this week unless mediators presented a plan based on previous discussions. The talks are scheduled to resume on Thursday.
Israel-Iran Tensions Escalate: Iran Threatens Attack if Ceasefire Talks Collapse
White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby has warned that Iran and its proxies could take action as early as this week. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel has emphasized the importance of diplomatic de-escalation and the negative consequences of further retaliation.
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has stated that Tehran considers retaliation against Israel for Haniyeh's killing a rightful response to discourage future aggression. A report by the official IRNA news agency said that Pezeshkian and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed ways to restore peace and stability in the region. Starmer has urged Iran to refrain from attacking Israel and called on all parties to de-escalate tensions.
Israel-Iran Tensions Escalate: Iran Threatens Attack if Ceasefire Talks Collapse
On Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces reported that a projectile fired from the Gaza Strip landed in the maritime space in central Israel. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions in the region.
This article was written based on information from Reuters, Fox News reporters Alex Hogan, Bradford Betz, and Yonat Friling, as well as The Associated Press.
Israel-Iran Tensions Escalate: Iran Threatens Attack if Ceasefire Talks Collapse
