Putin and US agree: Iran’s attack on Israel will not be that serious

WORLD: White House officials believe United States (US) diplomatic efforts may work to defuse Iran’s threat of retaliation following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, for which Tehran has blamed Israel, The Washington Post has reported. Fears of a regional war have risen sharply after Iran threatened to “punish” Israel for Haniyeh’s killing, with Tehran warning that its response would be even harsher than the attack carried out on April 13-14. For its part, Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for Haniyeh’s killing. Adding to the tension, Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah has also threatened a response to the killing of its top commander Fuad Shukr by Israel in Beirut. Why Iran may be rethinking its plans to attack Israel.

According to the Washington Post report,

Tehran may reconsider its plans to attack Israel, as the US has hastily deployed its military forces to the region and warned Iran of serious consequences for the new government of President Masoud Pezeshkian. Speaking to the US publication, a senior official in US President Joe Biden’s administration said that Tehran clearly understands that the US is “unwavering in the defense” of its interests, partners and people. “We have sent a significant amount of military assets to the region to underscore that principle,” the official said. While Iran initially claimed that an Israeli missile fired from nearby was responsible for Haniyeh’s killing in a Tehran guesthouse, Biden officials reportedly said that the Iranian government had privately admitted that a bomb placed in his room caused his death. According to the report, this fact may also change Iran’s plans for a harsh response.