Escalating Tensions in the Middle East: Egypt’s Foreign Minister Voices Concern Amid Growing Regional Conflict

Today, Saturday, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aty expressed his country’s “grave concern about the increasingly dangerous pace in the region,” during a phone call with his Lebanese counterpart, Abdullah Bouhabib .

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in reportDuring the call, Abdel Ati confirmed “Egypt’s support and assistance to brotherly Lebanon in dealing with the threats that surround it. “

Fears are growing of the start of a wider regional conflict in the Middle East, with Iran and its allies vowing to respond to the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in an operation attributed to Israel. and the assassination of the prominent leader of Hezbollah, Fouad Shukr, in an Israeli strike near Beirut, and with the United States strengthening its military presence in the region.

Western countries have intensified their calls for their citizens to leave Lebanon and Iran, with some airlines announcing the cancellation of their flights.

Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah accused Israel of murdering Haniyeh, hours after an Israeli strike killed Shukr in a southern suburb of Beirut.

Israel did not comment on Haniyeh’s murder, but vowed to destroy Hamas after the unprecedented October 7 attack on its territory, which led to Israel’s devastating military response in the Gaza Strip.

Leaders of Iran, as well as Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Hamas, which are listed on US terrorist lists, vowed to avenge the killings of Haniyeh and Shukr. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed to impose “severe punishment” on Israel, accusing it of murdering “our beloved guest in our home.”

On the other hand, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that his country is at a “very high level” of preparation for a “defensive and offensive” situation.

The US Department of Defense announced on Friday that due to “the possibility of regional escalation by Iran or its partners and proxies,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered “changes to the US military posture with the goal of protecting the forces of the SA to develop. , increasing support for Israel’s defense, and ensuring that the United States is prepared to deal with… Various emergency situations.

The Pentagon said the United States would deploy more warships “carrying defensive ballistic missiles” and “an additional squadron of warplanes” to strengthen its military presence in the region.

Diplomatically, the United States Embassy on Saturday urged its citizens to leave Lebanon by “reserving” any available travel ticket. “

In turn, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in a statement, “Tensions are high and the situation is likely to deteriorate rapidly. While we are working around the clock to strengthen our consular presence in Lebanon, my message to British citizens is clear: Leave immediately.”