US Warns Iran "Will Inflict Major Economic Damage if Israel Retaliates"

Israel's Counterattack Is Inevitable
Purpose to Prevent Middle East Escalation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The United States has warned that if Iran launches retaliatory attacks against Israel, Iran could suffer significant damage in economic and other sectors.

On the 8th (local time), The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported, citing a senior Biden administration official, that a warning message was delivered to the Iranian government indicating that the new Iranian administration and Iran's economy would face devastating damage. However, WSJ added that the specific contents of the message have not been confirmed.

Iran has pointed to Israel as the mastermind behind the recent assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the top political leader of Hamas, in Tehran, Iran, and has declared retaliation. Israel has announced a firm counterattack, escalating the risk of a full-scale war. If realized, the ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, which have shown signs of resuming, will undoubtedly collapse.

Accordingly, it is interpreted that the United States issued a warning that it could impose large-scale economic sanctions if Iran retaliates, as part of efforts to deter war in the Middle East. A senior Biden administration official emphasized, "Iran has no legal grounds to initiate military attacks against Israel" and added, "the United States will prepare for all contingencies."

According to the latest intelligence cited by WSJ, Iran's retaliatory attack against Israel could occur over the weekend. Initially, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Iran's retaliation could take place on the 5th, but there are indications that Iran's plans have been delayed. Another U.S. official told WSJ that "there are still signs that Iran's plans are valid," but "the response plan has been slightly postponed."

Israel's Security Cabinet held an emergency meeting in an underground military bunker that night as part of a training exercise to prepare for an emergency. Major foreign media explained that this was the first time the Security Cabinet met there since Iran's attack on mainland Israel in April.

On the 2nd, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved the deployment of multiple Navy cruisers and destroyers equipped with ballistic missile defense capabilities to the Middle East and Europe. Secretary Austin also ordered the dispatch of an additional fighter squadron-sized unit to the Middle East.