Israel and Iran tensions

Rising Tensions Between Israel and Iran Amid U.S. Military Buildup in the Middle East

Tensions between Israel and Iran remain high as the Pentagon rapidly mobilizes submarines, planes, warships, and a top military officer to the region to prevent a major conflict, according to U.S. officials.

The Middle East has been on edge following the recent assassinations of senior, Iranian-backed militant leaders in Beirut and Tehran. Iran’s leaders have vowed revenge for these killings. While Israel has not claimed responsibility for the assassination of a Hamas leader in Iran, it has acknowledged conducting an airstrike that killed a Hezbollah militant in Lebanon.

General Erik Kurilla, who oversees all U.S. forces in the Middle East, traveled to the region to bolster support among allies, as stated by a U.S. government official who was not authorized to speak publicly. In April, a U.S.-led coalition helped Israel thwart an attack by Iran involving 300 missiles and drones. However, it remains uncertain how many Middle Eastern countries will be willing to assist this time. Some nations may hesitate to be seen supporting Israel due to the ongoing war in Gaza, which erupted after the October 7 Hamas attack that resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli casualties. Others cite the need to protect their own airspace as justification for allowing U.S. and allied forces to intercept missiles over their territories.

Late Friday, the Pentagon announced the deployment of additional warships, submarines, and fighter aircraft to the Middle East to support Israel and safeguard the tens of thousands of U.S. troops stationed there. This includes the dispatch of F-22s, the most advanced warplanes in the Air Force arsenal.

U.S. officials expressed concern on Friday about an imminent attack by Iran, though these fears had slightly eased over the weekend. As of Monday, there was no change to the threat level, according to two U.S. officials who were not authorized to speak publicly.

However, a potential wildcard remains Iran’s proxy groups in the Middle East, noted U.S. Representative Adam Smith, the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee. These groups could potentially launch unprovoked attacks on Israel, adding another layer of unpredictability to the situation.