Top U.S. general in the Middle East as U.S. and Israel prepare for possible Iran attack
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People hold the Palestinian flag and a portrait of assassinated Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh during a rally at Tehran University in the Iranian capital Tehran on July 31, 2024. Photo: AFP via Getty Images
The U.S. general in charge of American forces in the Middle East arrived in the region on Saturday as preparations continue for a possible attack against Israel from Iran in retaliation for the assassinations of senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, two U.S. officials said.
Why it matters: Gen. Michael Kurilla's trip to the region was planned before the recent escalation between Israel, Iran and Hezbollah but he is expected to use the trip to try to mobilize the same international and regional coalition that defended Israel against an attack from Iran on Apr. 13, a U.S. official said.
- Three U.S. and Israeli officials said they expect Iran to attack Israel as early as Monday.
- Iranian and Hezbollah leaders have vowed to retaliate for the assassinations of Hezbollah's top military commander Fuad Shukr and Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh.
Driving the news: The U.S. is boosting its forces in the Middle East in preparation for a possible Iranian attack against Israel and sending more warships and fighter jets to the region, the Pentagon said on Friday.
- U.S. officials expect any Iranian retaliation to be from the same playbook as their Apr. 13 attack on Israel — but potentially larger in scope — and it could also involve Hezbollah in Lebanon.
- The Biden administration is concerned it may be more difficult to mobilize the same international and regional coalition of countries that defended Israel from the previous Iranian attack because Haniyeh's assassination is in the context of the Israel-Hamas war, which has drawn sharp anti-Israel sentiments across the region.
Behind the scenes: According to a U.S. official, Kurilla is expected to visit several Gulf countries, Jordan and Israel.
- Jordan will be a key stop on his trip. The Jordanians played a significant role during the Apr. 13 attack by intercepting Iranian drones that entered their territory headed for Israel and by allowing U.S. and Israeli jets to use their air space to intercept Iranian drones. The U.S. hopes the same will happen again if needed, the official said.
- The Pentagon and CENTCOM didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
U.S. and Israeli officials said they don't know if Iran and Hezbollah will conduct a coordinated attack or operate separately.
- They added that they think both Iran and Hezbollah are still working on finalizing their military plans and approving them at the political level.
- A U.S. official said the Biden administration wanted to announce the boosting of U.S. forces on Friday as Iran and Hezbollah were still discussing what their retaliation would look like with the hope that the announcement would help to deter them and influence their military plans.
What they're saying: On Saturday, President Biden was asked by reporters whether he thinks Iran will stand down.
- "I hope so. I don't know,", he said.
