Israel is “completely prepared” to strike Iran militarily, CBS News reports, citing US government sources who wish to remain anonymous. This news follows the United States’ commencement of the evacuation of diplomatic staff from various nations in the Middle East, including Iraq, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Included are nonessential employees and their families.
When asked about the evacuation and possible Israeli retaliation, US President Donald Trump remained cryptic, stating only, “We’ll see what happens.”
Nuclear Talks Stall, Fears of Conflict Rise
The escalation in tension follows stalled nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran. Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Iranian officials are set to hold discussions in the sixth round of talks in the coming weeks.
Yet, according to The Washington Post and Israeli Channel 14, Israel is getting ready for a large-scale military operation against Iran. Both media outlets quoted unidentified officials indicating that Israel is staging a major retaliatory attack. Neither U.S. nor Iranian officials have confirmed the threat or responded to media queries.
Houthis Warn of Regional Escalation
To add to the instability, the Houthis—a Yemeni rebel movement that Iran supports—issued a threat to the US and Israel. In an interview with Newsweek, a Houthi official stated, “In this context, we remain in a state of continuous preparedness and are engaged in efforts to intensify our operations against the usurping power, amidst the increasing massacres in Gaza and the deteriorating humanitarian crisis there.”
They further added, “We are also on the top level of readiness for any probable American escalation against us. Any escalation against the Islamic Republic of Iran is also risky and will lead the whole region to the depths of war.”
With tensions mounting around the region, world powers and observers are closely monitoring for any affirmation or a progressing military operation.
