Month: August 2024

US and Israel bracing for imminent Iranian attack

4 Aug, 2024 07:52

The US and Israel are continuing preparations for a major attack by Iran in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, Axios reported on Saturday, citing sources. The assault is anticipated to begin on Monday.

According to two unnamed US officials, Gen. Michael Kurilla, the head of US Central Command, has arrived in the region for a preplanned visit that is likely to focus on efforts to mobilize the same broad international and regional coalition that defended Israel from a previous major Iranian attack in April.

Tensions in the Middle East have reached the boiling point in recent days, after Iran accused Israel of killing Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in a bombing in Tehran. While Israel has neither confirmed nor denied orchestrating the hit, it did admit to eliminating Hezbollah leader Fouad Shukr in Beirut, who it said was responsible for an attack on a soccer field in the Golan Heights that killed 12 minors…

https://www.rt.com/news/602107-us-israel-attack-iran-imminent/

By Newsroom•Aug 3, 2024 12:17 AM

Following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, tensions in the Middle East have sharply escalated. Reports suggest that Iran, vowing revenge, might launch an attack on Israel tonight. Notably, Iranian television channels have shifted from regular programming to broadcasting military marches, signaling increased alertness.

President Pezeshkian granted war powers

Meanwhiel, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has granted war powers to President Mesoud Pezeshkian, reflecting the gravity of the situation. In response to the rising tensions, many countries have advised their citizens to leave Iran and Israel, and Iran has urged its citizens to urgently evacuate Israel.

The New York Times reported that three Iranian officials disclosed that Khamenei has ordered a direct attack on Israel as retaliation for Haniyeh’s killing. This has led to significant developments, including the cancellation of flights between Istanbul, Tehran, and Tel Aviv.

‘World will witness extraordinary scenes’

As the situation unfolds, Iranian TV has interrupted its normal broadcasts to play military anthems, with Channel 3 hinting at imminent significant events. “In coming hours, the world will witness extraordinary scenes and very important developments.,” the announcer said at one point on Iran’s Channel 3…

https://www.turkiyetoday.com/region/tensions-surge-as-iran-hints-at-imminent-retaliatory-attack-on-israel-35659/

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday overrode a plea agreement reached earlier this week for the accused mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and two other defendants, reinstating them as death-penalty cases.

The move comes two days after the military commission at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, announced that the official appointed to oversee the war court, retired Brig. Gen. Susan Escallier, had approved plea deals with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and two accused accomplices, Walid bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi, in the attacks.

Letters sent to families of the nearly 3,000 people killed in the al-Qaida attacks said the plea agreement stipulated the three would serve life sentences at most.

Austin wrote in an order released Friday night that “in light of the significance of the decision,” he had decided that the authority to make a decision on accepting the plea agreements was his. He nullified Escallier’s approval.

Some families of the attack’s victims condemned the deal for cutting off any possibility of full trials and possible death penalties. Republicans were quick to fault the Biden administration for the deal, although the White House said after it was announced it had no knowledge of it.

Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, a member of the Armed Services Committee, earlier Friday had condemned the plea deal on social media as “disgraceful.” Cotton said he had introduced legislation that would mandate the 9/11 defendants face trial and the possibility of the death penalty…

https://www.azfamily.com/2024/08/03/defense-secretary-overrides-plea-agreement-with-911-defendants-reinstating-them-death-penalty-cases/