On August 10, Israeli media outlets claimed that Jordan would allow Israel to use its airspace for military purposes to counter Iran’s possible attack.The Israeli intelligence community's assessment stressed that Iran is poised to attack Israel in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas' political leader in Tehran and is likely to do it within days. However, a senior Jordanian military official has refuted the allegations, stressing that the Jordanian Armed Forces have unequivocally denied allowing any party involved in the current regional conflict to use Jordanian airspace.
Israel Bracing an Imminent Attack by Iran
Israel is considering options to prepare for a possible regional attack amid concerns that a retaliatory attack by Iran could be imminent, as part of its retaliation for the assassination of Hamas’s political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. On July 31, Ismail Haniyeh, former Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority and head of Hamas’ political bureau, was assassinated while in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new Iranian president. The Irani government promised that Israel would pay the price, and announced a three-day mourning period as a gesture of respect.
The Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, asserted Haniyeh’s death would not pass unavenged. Khamenei said Iran had a duty to avenge Haniyeh’s death and warned Israel of harsh punishment.
As part of the ongoing preparations, the Israel Air Force commander, Maj Gen Tomer Bar, issued an order forbidding career officers from traveling abroad for holidays, a day after it was reported that soldiers traveling in Georgia and Azerbaijan had been told to return to Israel immediately.
In preparation for the potential attack by Iran, IOF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi visited the Israeli Air Force base at Tel Nof, he reported 'readiness at its peak' as the Iran attack looms.
‘Anyone who attacks us or talks about destroying Israel will be targeted’ Halevi said.
In related developments, Israel advised people to stock up on food and water in fortified safe rooms, while hospitals prepare to move patients to underground wards and search-and-rescue teams position themselves in major cities.
The Israeli Victory network noted that compared to last week, in the last two days, since the series of attacks in Lebanon and Iran that led to the assassination of Hezbollah senior Fuad Shukar in Beirut and the chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, there has been a 25% increase in sales. In addition, Israel's largest and leading retailer, Shufersal also reported a lively movement of customers in the branches.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is ready for anything and will hit back hard if attacked.
“We are prepared for any scenario – both offensively and defensively,” Netanyahu said at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office
Israel Claims That Jordan Allows Israel To Use Airspace If Iran Attacks
On April 14, Jordan's air force intercepted dozens of Iranian drones that violated its airspace and were heading to Israel. Tehran launched its attack on Israel in retaliation for a suspected April 1 Israeli assault on its diplomatic building in Damascus. Later, Jordan's government issued a statement describing its military action as an act of self-defense and in protection of its sovereignty in its airspace, not done for the benefit of Israel.
On August 10, the Israeli Channel 12 claimed that Jordan allowed Israel to use its airspace to confront an Iranian anticipated attack. According to a high-ranking source in Amman cited by Israeli Channel 12, this decision aligns with Jordan’s broader security interests and its policy of collaboration with Israel, as demonstrated in April when Jordan assisted in thwarting an Iranian attack.
The source emphasized that Jordan's actions are consistent with its strategic alliance with the United States, despite its public denials of such cooperation.
“We will allow Israel to defend itself against an Iranian attack within our airspace,” the official stated, emphasizing that this decision is driven by national security interests. The anonymous source noted that Jordan had previously granted Israel similar permissions in April during an Iranian missile and drone attack.
Furthermore, the source confirmed ongoing security, military, and intelligence collaboration between Jordan and Israel, ensuring that the Israeli Air Force is permitted to counter potential Iranian threats that might cross Jordan’s skies. However, these allegations contrast with Jordan’s official public stance, which asserts that its airspace will not be used by any foreign military force.
Jordan Denies Allowing Israel to Use Airspace If Iran Attacks
Jordan has officially denied that it would allow any party to use its airspace for military purposes, amid growing tensions between Israel and Iran.
The Jordanian state-owned Al-Mamlaka news TV quoted an informed source who said Jordan would not allow using its airspace "under any circumstances to any party, and won’t allow a military response for any belligerent party currently."
"The armed forces won't allow Jordan's lands and airspace to become a theater for any party," the source added.
During an interview with Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV, Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi declared on Saturday that the kingdom will not serve as a battleground for Iran or Israel as the region braces for potential new attacks by Tehran and its allies.
“We will not be a battlefield for Iran or Israel. We informed the Iranians and the Israelis that we will not allow anyone to violate our airspace and risk the safety of our citizens,” Safadi stated.
Moreover, Jordanian Prime Minister Bisher al-Khasawneh stressed that Jordan will confront any threat to its national security and citizens, noting that Amman has clearly and explicitly informed the Iranian and Israeli sides that it will not allow anyone to violate its airspace and endanger the lives or safety of its citizens.
During a meeting with a U.S. congressional delegation, Khasawneh underscored Jordan's intensive efforts to reach an immediate cessation of the Israeli aggression and secure the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza in a sustainable way.
He pointed out that the two-state solution is the only way to end the conflict in the region and achieve security, stability and prosperity for the countries and peoples of the region.
Airlines Pauses Flights to Israel Amid Spiraling Tensions with Iran
Several airlines have announced the cancellation of all upcoming flights to and from Israel due to increasing security tensions in the region. Furthermore, various government agencies across the globe have urged airlines to exercise caution when flying in Israeli airspace.
On August 1, the Israeli Channel 12 reported that Seven airlines have canceled flights to Israel amid spiraling tensions with Iran. According to the report, Delta, United Airlines, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Air India have canceled all upcoming flights to Israel. FlyDubai has canceled some of its scheduled flights, Channel 12 adds.
Israeli Channel 12 reported that the German airline informed passengers that the plane would land in Cyprus for “technical reasons” and then it would be decided whether it would continue to Tel Aviv. The German airline announced on Wednesday that it had canceled two nighttime flights to Israel from Frankfurt and Munich on Monday.
According to the Times of Israel, around 70,000 passengers are reportedly at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, with some trying to catch the last flights out of the country in case of more cancellations and others looking to cancel their flights out of fears that they would not be able to get back into the country.
Earlier this year, Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific announced that it is canceling all flights to and from Israel until March 27, 2025.
Amid the tensions, multiple countries have urged their citizens to stay away from, or evacuate Israel. On Tuesday, Japan became the latest country to do so. However, the Transportation Ministry and Civil Aviation Authority continue to claim that Israel’s airspace is safe.
Iran Rejects International Calls for Restraint in Attacking Israel
The fear of a possible Iranian retaliatory attack on Israel has prompted a flurry of diplomacy in the region.
On August 13, Iran rejected five Western countries' calls to renounce its threat to retaliate against Israel following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said after the assassination that Iran was "duty-bound" to avenge its "guest."
On Monday, the leaders of the U.K., France and Germany issued a joint statement urging Iran and its allies to “refrain from attacks that would further escalate regional tensions.”
"They will bear responsibility for actions that jeopardize this opportunity for peace and stability,” Sir Keir, President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Olaf Scholz said.
On Tuesday, the Iranian state news agency Irna reported that the president of Iran, Pezeshkian stated that from the point of view of the Islamic Republic of Iran, war in any part of the world is not in the interest of any country, emphasizing that a punitive response to an aggressor is a legal right of states and a way to stop crime and aggression.
The Iranian foreign ministry separately rejected the call for restraint from London, Paris and Berlin.
“Such demands are void of political logic, in complete contradiction to the principles and rules of international law, and excessive,” the Iranian spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran, Nasser Kaanani said.
Meanwhile, an Israeli government spokesman warned Iran and its allies that Israel would “exact a heavy price for any aggression against us from any arena.”
Iran Vows to Launch Direct Attack on Israel If Gaza Talks Fail
Three senior Iranian security officials said Iran, along with allies, would launch a direct attack if the talks for a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas fail or if it perceives Israel is dragging out negotiations.
According to Reuters one of these sources said that Iran and Hezbollah would launch a direct attack on Israel if talks for a ceasefire in Gaza fail or if Iran assesses that Israel is dragging out negotiations. The source, however, did not say how long Iran would let the talks progress before deciding to take any action.
The news agency reported that two of three sources said Iran would support Lebanon-based Hezbollah and other allies if they launched their responses to the Haniyeh’s assassination and the killing of Hezbollah commander Faud Shukr, who was slain in an airstrike in Beirut just hours ahead of Haniyeh’s killing.
In New Orleans, President Biden acknowledged to reporters in an event on Tuesday, a linkage between the ceasefire effort in Gaza and Iran’s threat to retaliate.
State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said on Tuesday that, “Everyone in the region should understand that further attacks only perpetuate conflict, instability and insecurity for everyone. And so what we're focused on, is intensively on, de-escalation through diplomacy."
However, Iran’s president has told Britain's prime minister that Tehran considers retaliation against Israel over the assassination of Haniyeh a right, and a way to discourage future aggression.
A report by the official IRNA news agency of Iran said President Masoud Pezeshkian, in a phone conversation with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, said that a punitive response to an aggressor is "a right of nations and a solution for stopping crimes and aggression."
The report said the two leaders discussed ways for restoring peace and stability in the region and the world as well as improving bilateral relations.
The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that advising Iran to show restraint while failing to stop Israeli attacks on Gaza reflects a lack of political insight and goes against international legal principles.
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