Airspace of western Iran cleared amid reports of 'military drills'

China's Foreign Minister, in a telephone conversation with his Jordanian and Egyptian counterparts, warned that any retaliation in the Middle East would intensify violence and conflicts, according to local media.

Iran's IRGC Chief-Commander Hossein Salami, in a message, congratulated Yahya Sinwar on his appointment as the head of Hamas' political bureau and expressed hope that under Sinwar's leadership, Israel will "soon be uprooted from the holy land of Palestine."

"As always, we will spare no effort in helping you and other steadfast fighters," he added.

The IRGC- affiliated Sabereen News agency said Iran is holding "military exercises" in western Iran. "The sounds heard in western Iran are due to military exercises and they will continue until around 7am (local time," the Telegram channel said.

A comparison of flight operations on August 5 and August 8 at 03:30am (Tehran time) or 00:00 (GMT) shows the airspace of western Iran and Iraq has been almost completely cleared, as the region braces for Iran's retaliatory attack on Israel.
Egypt had earlier issued a NOTAM telling pilots to avoid Iran’s airspace on Thursday from 0100 to 0400 GMT.

Israel told the U.S. that if Hezbollah harms Israeli civilians as part of its retaliation for the assassination of its top military commander, the Israel Defense Force's (IDF) response would be 'disproportionate,' two Israeli officials told Axios.

The US CENTCOM says its forces “successfully destroyed two Iranian-backed Houthi uncrewed aerial vehicles, one Houthi ground control station, and three Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen” over the past 24 hours.

Hezbollah looks increasingly like it may strike Israel independent of whatever Iran may intend to do, CNN reporter citing two sources familiar with the intelligence.

“The Lebanon-based militant group is moving faster than Iran in its planning and is looking to strike Israel in the coming days,” the report said citing one of the sources. Iran, meanwhile, appears to still be working out how it plans to respond, multiple officials have told CNN.

Many are left wondering could the Egyptian warning to pilots against using Iran’s airspace early Thursday be the window that Iran will use to retaliate against Israel.

Experts advise caution on reaching conclusions just yet. The answer, they said, is not a simple yes or no, but rather a myriad of reasons.

"No one has a clear sense of Iran's timing for a response," Bessma Momani, a Professor of Political Science at the University of Waterloo in Canada, told Iran International.

Momani said it would be be highly unusual for Iran to share information of a potential strike on Israel with Egypt.

"Regional actors are trying to get prepared and to signal their preparedness but I doubt Egypt would be privy to any information on when or if Iran and its allies plan on responding to Israel with a military attack," she added.

"Cordial but not warm," is how Momani described Egypt-Iran relations.

Tehran’s “priority is to punish the aggressors” responsible for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and “to prevent the repetition of terrorist attacks by the Israeli regime,” Iran’s UN envoy Amir Saeid Iravani told Al Jazeera, in reaction to reports that Iran might be reconsidering its plan to attack Israel.

The French president Emmanuel Macron told Israeli prime minister to avoid a cycle of retaliation, following a similar conversation with the Iranian president Wednesday.

Macron told Netanyahu the "logic of de-escalation "should apply to all parties in the region," according to the official report of the phone conversation.

He also reiterated that France's "absolute urgency" is an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, as well as delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.

Iran's official news agency says the country's air defense systems on its eastern borders have been upgraded with new radars and missile interceptors.

The report, published Wednesday by the state-run IRNA, comes amid heightened tensions in the region, following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

The White House press secretary refused to comment on Iran's potential retaliatory attack against Israel, making it clear instead that US policy was to push for de-escalation.

"It's up for Iran to say what it will or will not do," Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Wednesday. "They've been very public about what their next steps are going to be in responding (to Haniyeh's killing)."

"What we're going to do is to continue to have conversations with Mideast partners and leaders and urge de-escalation. Our focus is on de-escalating Mideast tensions," she added.

The Biden administration has warned actors in the Middle East to refrain from escalatory moves.

"The message that we are impressing upon everyone in the region is that no party should take any steps to escalate this conflict," the US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Wednesday.

"We are in the final stages, hopefully of a ceasefire deal, and escalation has the potential to make every problem the region faces worse," Miller said, calling the current situation "delicate", where "tensions are high".

The assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh is "blatant violation" of Iran's sovereignty, Saudi Arabia's representative said at the emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah.

Deputy foreign minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji said his country rejects “any violation of the sovereignty of states or interference in the internal affairs of any country.”

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has blamed Israel for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, calling the action "a serious infringement" of Iran's sovereignty.

"OIC holds Israel, the illegal occupying power, fully responsible for this heinous attack,” reads the statement issued at the end of an extraordinary meeting of the 57-member bloc in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The UK has issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) advising UK-registered air operators to avoid entering the Beirut Flight Information Region from 16:40 (UTC) August 7, 2024, to November 4, 2024, due to potential risks from military activity in the region.

The NOTAM comes amid escalating fears of a conflict between Israel and Iran, which could involve Lebanon, particularly through the involvement of Iran-backed Hezbollah.

The Beirut Flight Information Region (FIR) encompasses the airspace over Lebanon and extends over the easter Mediterranean.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Wednesday underscored the need for continued “collective efforts” to prevent “the situation between Israel, Lebanese Hezbollah, and Iran from escalating further” amid rising tensions in the region.

In a bid to avert conflict, Lammy said he has engaged in critical discussions with his Egyptian and Turkish counterparts, emphasizing that “every diplomatic option must be explored.”

The chair of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) warned about the possibility of a "wider conflict" in the Middle East, following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

“This heinous act serves only to escalate the existing tensions potentially leading to a wider conflict that could involve the entire region,” said Gambia's foreign minister Mamadou Tangara, currently chairing the OIC.

The emergency OIC meeting was held in Jeddah on Wednesday.

Israeli officials believe that Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah, rather than Iran itself, is poised to launch the first major attack on Israel in the coming days, according to an unsourced report by Israel's Channel 12.

Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian has pleaded with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to hold back a promised retaliatory attack on Israel, warning that further escalation would have a devastating impact on his new-won presidency, sources familiar with the matter told Iran International on condition of anonymity.

In a recent meeting with Khamenei, Pezeshkian urged the 85-year-old ruler to prevent any direct Iranian attack on Israel to avoid a full-blown war that would deepen Iran's existing socio-economic woes.

The sources told Iran International that Pezeshkian warned that a potential Israeli retaliation targeting Iran's energy infrastructure could cripple the Iranian economy and even lead to the state's collapse. 

Despite this grave warnings, Khamenei remained noncommittal during the session, neither validating nor opposing the president's concerns, according to the sources.

Read more here.

Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi warned about potential "devastation" in the Middle East and called for "transformative" actions to get a ceasefire in Gaza.

"We need to do something really transformative here, regardless of where Iran is, where Israel is at this point, if we are to forces Israel to accept a ceasefire, end the aggression in Gaza," he told CNN.

Jordan did help in the joint operation with the US and others to intercept Iran's missiles and drones in the last round of escalation in April.

"We have two paths: a path that drives the region further to the abyss of war or a path that would say enough is enough and save the region from the devastation of an all-out war," he added.

Iran-backed Houthis say they attacked two US destroyers and another vessel in the Red Sea on Wednesday.

The Yemen group have managed to disrupt shipping in the region for many months, targeting cargo ships coming from or bound for Israel.

Egypt has instructed all its aircrafts to avoid Iran's air space for a three-hour period early morning Thursday, amid fears that Iran would launch a retaliatory strike against Israel.

"All Egyptian carriers shall avoid overflying Tehran... No flight plan will be accepted overflying such territory,” the notice says.

The instruction would be in effect from 0100-0400 GMT.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned Hezbollah that further escalation of the current conflict could mean substantial damage to Lebanon.

"As things stand, Nasrallah could lead Lebanon to pay a very, very heavy price. They can't imagine what could happen. I guess if they take look Gaza, they'll understand," he told Israeli troops Wednesday.

“This may also deteriorate into a war. It’s not theoretical, it’s real,” he added.

Iranian acting foreign minister Ali Bagheri Kani called on Muslim countries to support Iran's right to defend itself against "acts of aggression".

Kani is in Jeddah for an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which has convened at Iran's request following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

Iran has blamed Israel and the US for the killing of Haniyeh and has vowed to "avenge" his blood.

Kani criticized the west for "failing to condemn" the assassination, accusing them of having "no interest in regional stability" and wanting "perpetual insecurity" instead.

A Hezbollah commander responsible for anti-tank guided missile fire on northern Israel was killed in a drone strike earlier today, the military says.
According to the IDF, Hassan Fares Jeshi was killed in an airstrike in southern Lebanon’s Jouaiyya. Separately, fighter jets struck buildings belonging to Hezbollah in Aitaroun, the IDF adds.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused Israel of inciting conflict through its “criminal and terrorist actions in Gaza and the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh” during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday.
He criticized the US and Western countries for “supporting these actions instead of condemning them,” stating they have aided in “committing crimes, genocide, and terrorism.” Pezeshkian urged for a ceasefire saying Iran is committed to peace and defense of its interests under international law.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the country’s readiness for both offense and defense during his visit to the Tel Hashomer army recruitment base, where he met with draftees to the IDF’s Armored Corps and Combat Engineering Corps.

“We are continuing forward to victory. I know that Israeli citizens are on alert, and I ask you one thing — stay calm and composed. We are striking our enemies and are also determined to defend ourselves,” Netanyahu told the troops.

He expressed his pride in the soldiers, both those in the reserves and the standing army, calling them the “backbone of the nation.”

Lebanese media reported that an Israeli drone targeted a vehicle in the town of Jouaiyya in southern Lebanon.Ynet says two people are killed in the attack.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has emphasized that the election of Yahya Sinwar as the leader of Hamas sends a clear message that the Palestinian issue is now significantly controlled by Iran and Hamas. Katz stated, "The election of Yahya Sinwar as the leader of Hamas must send a clear message to the world that the Palestinian issue is now completely controlled by Iran and Hamas."

Katz warned of the consequences of Israel withdrawing its military presence in Gaza, saying, "Without Israeli action in Gaza, the area would fall entirely under Hamas control." He further explained that in Judea and Samaria, the survival of Abbas and the Palestinian Authority is due to "Israel's intensive military operations against Hamas and Islamic Jihad infrastructure, which are supported and promoted by Iran."

Highlighting the regional threats, Katz noted, "Iran is working to smuggle weapons into Jordan to destabilize the Jordanian regime and then flood the refugee camps in Judea and Samaria and the entire area with weapons and funding to establish another terror front from the east against Israel’s major population centers."

Katz proposed a solution: "The solution is Palestinian self-management in Judea and Samaria, allowing them to manage their own lives." However, he stressed that "Israel must maintain control over security and foreign affairs to prevent the establishment of another Iranian-Islamist extremist stronghold and enable Palestinians to manage their internal affairs. Anything else will lead to the creation of another Iranian outpost in the region, which will explode in the face of the world and all regional countries."

Katz concluded by urging global support for Israel: "The world must see reality as it is and support Israel, which currently stands at the forefront of the battle against the Iranian and extremist Islamist axis."

Iran’s response to the Israeli assassination of a senior Hamas official in Tehran is taking longer than expected, US intelligence sources told Al Arabiya on Tuesday.
While initial assessments had predicted an early-week attack, the latest information suggests any retaliation may now be delayed until late Thursday or Friday.

It is believed that Iran will wait until after Wednesday’s meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah before taking any action.

The University of Tehran announced that a building will be named after assassinated Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

The Tehran City Council has also approved naming a street in the capital after Haniyeh.

Badr Abdelatty, Egypt's Foreign Minister, said he talked over the phone with Ali Bagheri Kani, the acting Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, to discuss regional stability.

This conversation is part of Egypt's ongoing efforts to manage regional tensions and encourage all parties to exercise restraint to prevent the escalation of conflicts.

German airline giant Lufthansa announced on Wednesday that it will avoid using Iranian and Iraqi airspace until August 13, extending its earlier decision due to high tensions in the Middle East.

In addition to this, Lufthansa has extended the suspension of its services to Tel Aviv, Tehran, Beirut, Amman, and Erbil until the same date.

Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis expressed his concerns about escalating risks in the region during a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani.

On Tuesday, he highlighted Switzerland’s dedication to prioritizing restraint.

“I conveyed Switzerland’s commitment to prioritizing restraint, moderation, and pursuing a diplomatic path to ease tensions,” Cassis wrote on X.

Ali Abdolalizadeh, President Masoud Pezeshkian's campaign manager, has said that in response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, the first step should be to "eliminate Israeli espionage channels" and "hostile foreign elements."

He emphasized that maintaining peace is crucial for the country and urged avoiding any form of conflict.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held a phone conversation with his German counterpart Boris Pistorius to discuss threats posed by Iran and its proxies against Israel and the wider region.

"The free world must come together against the biggest destabilizer and exporter of terrorism - Iran," he said on X on Wednesday.

Iranian army commander has issued a warning to Israel, asserting that their future is bleak and that their actions will not go unanswered.

Abdolrahim Mousavi said Tuesday, "These crimes and assassinations by the Zionist regime will not go unanswered and will receive a definite and decisive response."

He added that Israeli attempts to escape their “downfall” through such actions are “futile” and will only hasten their “dissolution.”

In a phone conversation with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Ali Bagheri Kani, acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic, criticized European countries for their passive stance on the assassination of Haniyeh.

He stated that their failure to condemn this “action that violates international peace and security” resulted in a missed diplomatic opportunity.

Bagheri Kani also held the United States, the United Kingdom, and France responsible for the actions of what he described as the sole malevolent entity in the region.

The United States and Australia have denounced Iran's destabilizing behavior, including its support for armed proxies and militant partners.

The statement was released after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III hosted Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles on August 6 in Annapolis, Maryland.

They condemned threats to shipping and freedom of navigation in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden, stressing the need to defend navigational rights and freedoms.

They also slammed Tehran’s arbitrary and unjust detention of foreign and dual nationals, as well as targeting, intimidation, and harassment of dissidents overseas.

The statement alsoexpressed concerns over Iran's nuclear-related expansions, proliferation of ballistic missiles, and provision of drones to Russia for use in its war against Ukraine.

The secretaries and ministers also slammed Iran's human rights violations and abuses, especially against women, girls, and members of minority groups and expressed a shared commitment to standing with the people of Iran.

White House officials said Tuesday that they believe President Joe Biden’s efforts to prevent a war in the Middle East "may be paying off" and "Iran may be reconsidering a plan for major retaliation" following the killing of the Hamas chief in Tehran, Washington Post reported.

"The Iranian response has been complicated by seeming confusion over the circumstances of Haniyeh’s death. Tehran at first claimed he was killed by an Israeli missile, requiring a similar Iranian response. But officials say that Tehran has concluded privately that he was instead eliminated by a concealed bomb, perhaps prompting a different response," read the article.

Tehran may also be dissuaded by the US show of force this week, and secret White House communications passed via the Swiss embassy in Tehran and the Iranian mission at the United Nations, the report said.

“Iran understands clearly that the US is unwavering in its defense of our interests, our partners and our people. We have moved a significant amount of military assets to the region to underscore that principle,” a senior administration official

According to media affiliated with Iran-backed Houthis, US and UK forces carried out two airstrikes targeting Houthi positions in Yemen's Taiz province on Tuesday night.

The report came after CENTCOM, the United States Central Command, issued a statement announcing that its forces had successfully intercepted and destroyed an uncrewed aerial vehicle and two Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen toward the Red Sea.

Throughout Tuesday, continuous exchanges of fire were also reported between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah.

A day earlier, an Iran-backed militia in Iraq launched a rocket attack on US troops at Iraq's Ain al-Assad base, injuring several American soldiers. Iraq has arrested three people in western Anbar suspected of carrying out the rocket attack.

The US has also moved an F/A-18 squadron from the carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt to a regional partner base on Monday, in addition to the F-22 squadron arriving in the coming days, to help defend Israel and US assets ahead of expected Iranian attack, The Wall Street Journal reported citing a Pentagon official.

Iran’s Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani departed for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday morning, leading a delegation to attend an extraordinary meeting of the Executive Committee of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The meeting is convened to discuss the implications of the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last week.