WhatsApp Logo Subscribe
For News Alert

News

U.S. warns of continued threat from Iran and its proxies on Israel

By AFP

August 26, 2024 09:25 PM


Twitter Share Facebook Share WhatsApp Share

The United States assesses there is still a threat of a new attack on Israel by Iran or its proxies, the Pentagon said Monday, after Lebanon's Hezbollah launched a rocket and drone barrage over the weekend.

Iran and its regional allies have threatened to attack Israel in response to high-profile killings in Tehran and Beirut late last month, and Hezbollah said its recent strikes on Israel were in response to one of those assassinations.

"We continue to assess that there is a threat of attack, and we... remain well-postured to be able to support Israel's defense as well as to protect our forces should they be attacked," Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder told journalists.

On Sunday, the Israeli military said it launched air strikes on Hezbollah targets that posed an imminent threat, with around 100 fighter jets striking more than 270 targets, most of them short-range rockets aimed at northern Israel.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah said the Israeli strikes came half an hour before his group launched more than 300 Katyusha rockets at 11 Israeli military sites, and that drones then targeted deeper inside the country, in response to the killing of senior commander Fuad Shukr in July.

Ryder said that the US was not involved in the preemptive strikes or in shooting down the projectiles, but that it did "provide some intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance support -- ISR -- in terms of tracking incoming Lebanese Hezbollah attacks."

He also said that US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin "has ordered the presence of two carrier strike groups to remain in the region" as part of support for Israel.

The Pentagon said last week that the USS Abraham Lincoln and accompanying destroyers had arrived in the region.

It was due to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt, but Austin's order means both will be in the Middle East for the time being.


AFP


Most Read

  1. Islamabad turns into ‘fortress’ ahead of PTI protest Islamabad turns into ‘fortress’ ahead of PTI protest
  2. 52% pass as Lahore Board announces 11th class result 52% pass as Lahore Board announces 11th class result
  3. Pakistanis feared among six migrants killed by Mexican soldiers in highway chase Pakistanis feared among six migrants killed by Mexican soldiers in highway chase
  4. Tripti Dimri addresses her controversial dance moves to Mery Mehboob song Tripti Dimri addresses her controversial dance moves to Mery Mehboob song
  5. Javeria Saud gets angry in live show for not given credit for 'Ishq Murshid' OST Javeria Saud gets angry in live show for not given credit for 'Ishq Murshid' OST
  6. Fire guts solar panels, chemicals worth billions at Karachi warehouse Fire guts solar panels, chemicals worth billions at Karachi warehouse