news

[Global Times reporter Jiang Ailing] The Wall Street Journal quoted an unnamed US official on the 8th local time as saying that the United States has warned Iran that if Iran launches a major attack on Israel, Iran's new government and economy may suffer a "devastating blow."

The official revealed that the United States had conveyed the warning to Tehran through direct channels and intermediaries, but he declined to disclose specific details, the report said.

The Times of Israel added that the official said, "The United States has sent a clear message to Iran that the risk of escalation is very high if Iran launches a major retaliatory attack on Israel," and "If Iran goes down this path, its economy and the stability of the new government will be at serious risk."

File photo: On August 7, 2024, local time, Israel airstrikes a southern village in Kfar Kila, Lebanon, with thick smoke billowing from the scene. (Visual China)

Another U.S. official told the Wall Street Journal that the U.S. does not know the scope and timing of Iran's response to Israel. However, the latest intelligence shows that if it happens, it may take place over the weekend. However, officials are currently unsure whether Hezbollah will act alone or launch an attack at the same time as Iran.

According to previous media reports, the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) confirmed on July 31 that Ismail Haniyeh, leader of the Hamas Political Bureau, was assassinated in Tehran, the capital of Iran, in the early hours of the same day. Hamas said that the assassination was committed by Israel and was a "cowardly act" and that Hamas would retaliate. Israel refused to respond. Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei issued a statement saying that Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran and it was Iran's "responsibility" to avenge him, and Iran would impose "severe punishment" on Israel. In his speech on August 1, Nasrallah, leader of the Lebanese Hezbollah, said, "Israel did not realize that it had crossed the red line."

According to Axios News on August 1, three US officials told the media that the Biden administration is convinced that Iran will attack Israel in retaliation for the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31, and said that Iran is preparing to retaliate.