Israel is bracing for a potential coordinated deadly attack from Iran and Lebanese group Hezbollah following the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran
AMMAN – Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi is set to visit Iran on Sunday to discuss regional developments amid rising tensions following the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
The Jordanian Foreign Ministry said Safadi will convey a message from King Abdullah II to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian regarding regional developments and bilateral relations.
The top diplomat will also hold talks with his Iranian counterpart Ali Bagheri Kani during his visit, the ministry said.
The visit comes as tension spiked following the July 31 assassination of Haniyeh, who was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s new president.
Hamas and Iran have accused Israel of carrying out Haniyeh’s assassination, while Tel Aviv has not confirmed or denied its responsibility.
The assassination came one day after Israel killed senior Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukr in an airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburb. Iran-backed Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate his killing.
On Thursday, Safadi said in a press conference that “if there is any escalation, our top priority is to protect Jordan and the safety of Jordanians.”
In April, during Iran’s first direct attack on Israel, some missiles and drones crossed Jordanian airspace, with some intercepted by the kingdom’s defenses for violating its sovereignty.
The tension comes against the backdrop of an Israeli onslaught on Gaza, which has killed nearly 39,600 victims since last October, following an attack by Hamas.
Israel is bracing for a potential coordinated deadly attack from Iran and Lebanese group Hezbollah following the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, according to Israeli media on Sunday.
After conducting intensified consultations with the US, Israeli officials believe that a joint or separate attack against Israel by Hezbollah and Iran is “inevitable,” Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said.
The timing of the attack, however, remains uncertain.
According to the daily, discussions are still underway on how Israel should respond to the planned attack.
“Israeli officials also discussed the option of Israel moving first and carrying out a ‘preemptive attack’,” the newspaper said.
Israeli ministries have been instructed to “prepare for all scenarios,” which could potentially escalate into a war on five fronts, with thousands of targets being hit across the country, it added.
“Israeli officials anticipate that Hezbollah is preparing for a major attack against Israel that will not be limited to military targets,” the newspaper said.
Hamas and Iran have accused Israel of carrying out the July 31 assassination of Haniyeh, who was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the country’s new president. Tel Aviv has not confirmed or denied its responsibility.
The assassination came one day after Israel killed senior Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukr in an airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburb. Iran-backed Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate his killing. -AA
