US says Iran could attack Israel within 24 to 48 hours

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned his G7 counterparts that an imminent Iranian attack on Israel is expected within the next 24 to 48 hours, in retaliation for the killing of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh.

During a conference call on Sunday with US allies, Blinken urged them to apply “diplomatic pressure” on Iran and Hezbollah to de-escalate their potential retaliatory strikes against Israel.

He emphasised the need to prevent any escalation that could lead to a full-scale war in the region, according to sources cited by the US news agency Axios.

The commander of US Central Command, Gen Michael Kurilla, is scheduled to visit Israel on Monday to assess the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) preparations for a possible Iranian or allied attack.

Blinken mentioned that there are no reports about the scope or intensity of Iran's expected retaliation.

He maintained that both the US and Israel are prepared to defend against any Iranian aggression, as they did on April 13 when Tehran launched 350 missiles, which were successfully intercepted.

Blinken urged the foreign ministers to discourage Iran from launching a major attack, adding that the US would restrain Israel’s response in order to avoid further escalation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a meeting with military and intelligence officials on Sunday to discuss the possible Iranian retaliation. 

He stated, "Iran and its minions are looking to surround us in a stranglehold of terrorism. We are determined to stand against them on every front and in every arena, near and far. Whoever seeks to harm us will pay a very heavy price."

Axios reported that Blinken expressed frustration over Israel's war on Gaza, saying that a breakthrough in negotiations was close but was derailed by Haniyeh’s assassination. He stressed that an agreement is now more pivotal than ever.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards issued a statement on Saturday stating that Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed by a short-range projectile, reportedly armed with a 7 kg warhead.

Hamas chief was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of newly-elected Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday.

Senior Hamas official, Khalil Al-Hayya stated that Haniyeh was killed by a missile on Wednesday, July 31. The witnesses reported the missile broke the window of the room before directly striking Haniyeh.

As per International media reports, Iran is in talks with its regional allies, referred to as the “axis of resistance,” which includes Hamas, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and various Iraqi militias.

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, directed his military to enhance its defenses and develop a strategy for an attack on Israel.

Experts are currently assessing the scope and severity of a potential Iranian response, and whether it could escalate into a full-scale war in the region.