'Regional war has essentially begun' as US warns Iranian attack on Israel could be imminent

Summary

The video discusses heightened tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, with concerns about an imminent ballistic missile threat from Iran against Israel. A senior White House official highlights that the U.S. is working with Israel to bolster its defenses and warns of severe consequences if Iran proceeds with an attack. The discussion also touches on regional instability, Israeli operations in Lebanon, Gaza, Syria, and Yemen, and the U.S. response, as diplomacy seems to be at a standstill. The video explores the growing risk of a broader regional conflict involving Israel and Iran.

Takeaways

• 🚀 U.S. officials have expressed concerns about an imminent ballistic missile threat from Iran against Israel.
• ⚠️ A senior White House official emphasized that if Iran carries out an attack, there will be severe consequences.
• 🛡️ The U.S. is actively working with Israel to bolster its defenses in light of this potential threat.
• 💥 Recent events indicate increasing tensions, including Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen.
• 🌍 The conflict between Israel and various regional actors, including Hamas and Hezbollah, is intensifying.
• 😬 There is growing fear of a broader regional war involving Iran and other actors beyond the current conflicts.
• 🇮🇱 Critics of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argue that this conflict aligns with his goal of perpetual warfare.
• 📞 The U.S. Defense Secretary has been in communication with Israel, reiterating U.S. support for Israel's right to defense.
• 🎯 The U.S. believes that any potential Iranian attack could be similar in scope to a previous incident in April, where missile strikes had limited impact.
• 😕 There is concern that the U.S., paralyzed by its own internal politics and electoral campaign, lacks a coherent Middle East policy and effective diplomatic intervention.

Q & A

What is the main concern of the U.S. officials mentioned in the script?

The main concern of U.S. officials is the expectation of an imminent ballistic missile threat from Iran against Israel, which has raised the level of alert and brought increased urgency to U.S.-Israeli defense coordination.

What has the U.S. been doing in response to the potential threat from Iran?

The U.S. has been working closely with Israel to shore up its defenses and prepare for a potential missile strike, similar to how they coordinated defenses during a major Iranian attack on Israel back in April.

What is the significance of the U.S. official's statement about severe consequences for Iran?

The statement serves as a deterrent, indicating that if Iran carries out an attack against Israel, it would face severe consequences, which could discourage Iran from proceeding with any planned operations.

How has the situation in the region escalated recently?

The situation has escalated into what some describe as a regional war, with ongoing conflicts between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the potential for a broader conflict involving Iran.

What actions has Israel taken recently in response to regional threats?

Israel has conducted military operations in Gaza and Lebanon, and has also reportedly struck targets in Syria and Yemen. These actions suggest an intensified regional conflict.

What is the historical context of Iran's potential missile strike on Israel?

The potential missile strike is expected to be similar in scope and scale to the response Iran launched in April, following the targeted assassination of an Iranian asset in Syria. At that time, Iran launched missiles that ultimately had little impact.

What challenges is the U.S. facing in its diplomacy regarding the Middle East conflict?

The U.S. is perceived as being unable to effectively intervene or change the course of events, with its diplomacy in the region seen as 'adrift' and its efforts to prevent escalation being limited.

How does the current conflict impact the U.S.'s stance on Israel's military actions?

Despite recent Israeli actions, such as a limited ground incursion into Lebanon, U.S. officials continue to affirm their support for Israel's right to self-defense and have not publicly pushed for significant restraints on Israel.

What is Benjamin Netanyahu's potential strategy, according to critics?

Critics suggest that Benjamin Netanyahu might be leveraging the current conflict to pursue what they describe as his goal of 'forever wars,' using the situation to justify continued military operations.

What could be the consequences of an Iranian missile strike for the region?

An Iranian missile strike could potentially expand the conflict further, drawing more regional actors into the conflict and increasing the risk of a broader regional war that destabilizes the Middle East.

Outlines

00:00

🛑 Imminent Ballistic Missile Threat from Iran

The United States is alarmed by an imminent ballistic missile threat from Iran, a response to Israel's operations against Hezbollah. A senior White House official highlights that any attack by Iran will have severe consequences, with the U.S. actively working with Israel to bolster its defenses. Despite Israel’s military actions, the U.S. continues to support Israel's defense, signaling preparedness for any escalation. The message is clear: while the situation is tense, the U.S. aims to deter Iran from advancing its operations.

05:01

⚠️ Regional War Escalation

The ongoing conflicts between Israel, Hamas in Gaza, and Hezbollah in Lebanon are signs of a growing regional war. As Iran potentially prepares to launch ballistic missiles against Israel, the situation is becoming more dangerous. U.S. support for Israel remains strong despite its seeming lack of control or influence in the region. Critics argue that U.S. diplomacy appears ineffective, as tensions continue to rise, with the threat of broader regional involvement, including Iran, looming larger.

10:02

🔺 Escalating Violence and Israeli Retaliation

Increased Israeli military actions, particularly in Lebanon, mark a significant escalation in regional violence. A ceasefire proposal crafted by the U.S. and France appears to have been ignored, with Israel intensifying strikes, further destabilizing the region. The U.S. has provided military support to Israel but seems reluctant or unable to press for de-escalation, contributing to the ongoing volatility.

Keywords

💡Ballistic missile threat

A ballistic missile threat refers to the potential launch of missiles designed to deliver explosive payloads over long distances. In the context of the video, U.S. officials are concerned about an imminent ballistic missile strike by Iran against Israel, which would significantly escalate tensions in the region.

💡Iran

Iran is a key player in the Middle East conflict, especially regarding its opposition to Israel. The video discusses the possibility of Iran launching a missile strike on Israel, which would be a significant retaliation for Israeli military actions in Gaza, Lebanon, and potentially Syria and Yemen.

💡Israel

Israel is central to the video’s discussion, as it has been engaged in military operations against Hezbollah, Hamas, and other groups in Gaza and Lebanon. The potential threat of missile strikes from Iran is in response to Israel’s actions, reflecting the ongoing regional conflict.

💡Hezbollah

Hezbollah is a Lebanon-based militant group and political organization supported by Iran. In the video, it is mentioned that Israel has severely crippled Hezbollah’s operations. This group plays a key role in the conflict between Israel and its regional adversaries, including Iran.

💡Gaza

Gaza is a Palestinian territory controlled by Hamas, where much of the recent conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant groups has taken place. The video notes that Israeli operations in Gaza have been destructive, though they have not fully eliminated Hamas.

💡Hamas

Hamas is a Palestinian Islamist political and militant group that governs the Gaza Strip. The video references Israel’s military actions in Gaza, targeting Hamas, though the group remains operational despite heavy Israeli bombardment.

💡United States

The United States plays a crucial role in the video as Israel’s primary ally. U.S. officials are involved in supporting Israel’s defense, particularly against missile threats, and the video discusses how the U.S. is helping to bolster Israeli defenses while cautioning against further escalation.

💡Lebanon

Lebanon is mentioned as another front in Israel’s regional conflict, where Israel has conducted airstrikes and ground incursions against Hezbollah targets. The situation in Lebanon is part of the broader regional instability involving Israel and its neighbors.

💡Retaliation

Retaliation refers to the expected Iranian response to Israeli military operations. In the video, this retaliation could take the form of a ballistic missile strike, marking a significant escalation in the conflict between Israel and Iran.

💡Diplomatic paralysis

Diplomatic paralysis refers to the inability of the United States and other global powers to effectively mediate or control the escalating conflict. The video suggests that U.S. diplomacy in the region is ineffective, contributing to the growing danger of a broader regional war.

Highlights

The US is expecting an imminent ballistic missile threat from Iran in retaliation for Israel's military operations.

The White House has issued a clear warning of severe consequences for Iran if it follows through with the attack.

US officials are actively working with Israel to strengthen its defense systems, referencing past coordination during an Iranian attack in April.

There is speculation that this imminent threat could be used politically by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to critics.

Israel's recent military actions have not only targeted Hezbollah in Lebanon but also expanded to Syria and Yemen.

Benjamin Netanyahu has addressed the Iranian people, potentially signaling further strategic moves by Israel.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas, along with Hezbollah, is escalating into what is being described as a regional war.

The US, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, is seen as paralyzed by its internal political climate, raising concerns about its influence on the situation.

The growing threat of a broader regional war now potentially involving Iran is becoming more apparent and concerning.

US officials believe the scope of the potential Iranian attack could be similar to a missile strike from April, which caused minimal damage.

In April, US restraint helped avert a broader conflict, but there are concerns that such diplomacy might not be as effective now.

There are increasing tensions following an Israeli airstrike that killed Hassan Nasrallah, further destabilizing the situation in Lebanon.

Israel has conducted multiple strikes across Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, raising the stakes of the conflict.

The Biden administration's efforts at diplomacy, including a ceasefire proposal crafted with France, seem to have little influence on Israel’s military actions.

US-Israel relations remain strong, with the US continuing to support Israel’s right to defend itself, despite increasing regional volatility.

Transcripts

This statement that we got this

is a bit of a shock

because over the course of the l

24 to 48 hours, US officials

were obviously concerned about w

Iran might do as retaliation

for obviously the major operatio

that Israel

has been carrying out against He

But we weren't hearing specifics

surrounding it.

Now, the fact that the senior

White House

official is saying

that there is the expectation

of an imminent

ballistic missile threat against

by Iran, that's incredibly notew

That brings this

to a different level

than we have been feeling from U

officials, frankly, over the las

48 hours or so.

I think it's also noteworthy

that in this statement

from the senior

White House official,

we hear them saying very clearly

that if Iran does go through wit

and carries out an attack agains

there will be severe

consequences for Iran.

There is a sense that perhaps

a statement like this

could deter Iran

from going ahead

with some planned operations.

Notably, the fact that this seni

White House official is also say

that the United States

is working with Israel

to shore up

its defenses,

as Nic was talking about

when there was the last

Iranian attack against Israel,

a major attack back in April.

The U.S.

worked with its allies to really

and effectively defend Israel.

And so the U.S.

is sending a clear message

now that they are already engage

preparations of the

like potentially in this situati

So there's a lot of questions

that will be asking U.S.

officials Now, exactly

what does that effort look like?

We heard this morning

from the secretary of state,

he was here,

this was before this statement c

But he did say

that the United States stands

with Israel in Israel's defense,

even though

overnight, of course,

there was the ground operation,

even though Israel is calling it

a limited incursion into Lebanon

that the U.S. had been warning a

That has not shaken

the resolve of Biden administrat

officials to even this morning,

despite that action by Israel, t

that they continue to stand

by Israel's defense.

That is likely informed

by the fact that they are tracki

this potentially imminent threat

coming in from Iran right now.

So we're really working to learn

in terms of the magnitude

of this potential threat from Ir

And that is, of course, unclear

at this point. Kelly, thank you.

Or let you go and work our sourc

Ben Wedeman is with us from Beir

right in the center

of things

that we have been reporting

on, of course, over the past

week or so, very specifically to

with further air

strikes on Beirut and around

south and east of Lebanon

and the ground incursion,

temporary and limited,

according to Israel

that has started in southern Leb

about 200 kilometers up

of the coastline from where

I am here, Ben.

There will be those in this regi

who will suggest that this news

today that we are hearing about

an imminent attack by Iran on Is

with ballistic

missiles is exactly

where Benjamin Netanyahu wants t

There will be those

his critics who say

this is the ultimate war

in what his critics say

is his goal of forever wars.

Your your thoughts at this point

Well, certainly

we are seeing Israel, Becky, on

They have severely crippled Hezb

They have

demolished Gaza

and did not crushed Hamas,

but certainly crippled them as w

And perhaps he is looking elsewh

Keep in mind,

within the last 48 hours, in add

to military operations

in Gaza and Lebanon,

Israel apparently

has also struck Syria and Yemen.

And certainly we heard a an addr

in English

from Benjamin Netanyahu

to the Iranian people,

which certainly suggested

that he wasn't

just sending a message, but he w

sort of if you read between the

he seemed to have something up

his sleeve.

And so,

yes, this may be his moment

as the United States

is essentially paralyzed by this

electoral campaign as U.S.

diplomacy or

or even Middle East

policy in general

seems to be utterly adrift.

Keeping in mind

that the war in Gaza

began almost a year ago,

and in that time,

the United States has

shuttled its diplomats around th

but has accomplished nothing.

The regional war that so many fe

has in a sense begun.

In a sense, begun.

There is a war between Israel

and Hamas in Gaza.

There's a war between Israel

and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Is

Iran about to launch

ballistic missiles on Israel?

There is this is a regional war.

The situation is increasingly da

and out of control.

And there's nobody at the wheel

in the White House.

They come out with these stateme

suggesting they won't be happy

with an Israeli land incursion.

But then we see the news

that Lloyd Austin, the U.S.

defense secretary,

has been on the phone

several times

with Yoav Gallant,

his Israeli counterpart,

essentially reiterating

the same thing that Israel,

the United States,

is committed

to Israel's defense and its righ

defense.

But what we're seeing on reality

on the ground

is the threat of regional war

grows ever closer.

And I've already said

there's a regional war,

but an even broader

regional war involving

now perhaps Iran and others.

So it's a very dangerous point w

And as I said,

there's no one at the wheel

in the United States, in the Whi

in the State Department.

The one superpower that has the

to actually change the course of

Well, as you've been speaking

and providing more is, as ever,

extremely important analysis.

We are just getting

further word, further detail fro

and it is a following, Ben,

that the US believes

that the imminent attack on Isra

by Iran,

that we were just reporting on e

could be similar in scope

and scale to the response

that it launched back in April.

Let's provide some context for t

At that time,

that was a response

to the targeted assassination of

its consulate in Damascus.

Israel never acknowledged

that they were behind

that targeted attack

on Iran's assets in Syria,

but it is assumed to have been

an Israeli strike.

So let's go back.

And if the US

believes that it could be simila

in scope

and scale, we were talking about

missiles or so at the time,

if I remember correctly,

back in April, launched on Israe

causing ultimately no real impac

Very, very few of those targets,

those

those missiles

actually reached their targets.

And what was very important

back at the time, it was clear

that that attack by Iran was tel

around this region and beyond.

And it was very clear that Tehra

a heads up to everybody that thi

would happen.

It's about 72 hours,

as I understand it,

that sort of telegraphed window.

It remains to be seen whether

it is 72 hours this time before

a strike.

But I wonder if you want to just

any sort of perspective,

given that extra information

that we've just received

similar expected to be similar i

and scope

as the response from attack were

in April?

Well,

back in April, you'll recall aft

attempted Iranian strike on Isra

the United States

tried restraint, told Israel

not to respond in a massive way

to avoid things going out of con

And I don't recall precisely

what the Israelis hit,

but it appeared to be something

of no significance whatsoever.

So at the time, in April,

the danger of sort of this war b

to involve Iran

and Israel on an ongoing

basis was averted.

The question is now

with, as I said,

the United States, its diplomacy

is basically in neutral

and the White House seems to be

Is the United States going to be

to or willing to be able to exer

the kind of pressure

it did back in April

to stop the Israelis

from massively retaliating

for those Iranian strikes?

That's the question.

And certainly what

we've seen,

particularly in regards to Leban

over the last two weeks,

where the Biden administration

came out with this

proposal, a cease fire proposal

that they had crafted with Franc

that we're told the Israelis

actually signed on to.

But then we heard Benjamin Netan

at the UN United Nations General

during his speech,

not once mentioning a cease fire

And within the hour,

apparently authorizing

the strike that killed Hassan Na

which only

made the situation here in Leban

even more volatile.

And since then,

we've seen a week or now

seven days of Israeli strikes.

And now overnight,

these limited raids,

as the Israelis call them.

So the situation has clearly ind

the last few months

is that the United States

is just absolutely timid

when it comes to pressuring its

ally in the Middle East,

that it provides

all the weapons

it needs to conduct

all of these military operations

It just doesn't seem willing to

puts on the US foot on the brake

and bring this situation

at least to a temporary pause.

It just isn't happening.