Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah exchanged messages on Sunday signaling that neither is seeking further escalation, with both parties conveying that the recent clashes are "done.”
Iran-backed Hezbollah has drawn on a greatly expanded arsenal during more than 10 months of cross-border hostilities with Israel. One of the world's most heavily armed non-state groups, it says it has used just a small part of its weaponry so far.
Hezbollah launched hundreds of rockets and drones against Israel early on Sunday, after Israeli jets anticipating the barrage extensively bombarded southern Lebanon in a pre-emptive attack reducing the dimensions of Hezbollah's strike.
Iran has doubled down on its promise to avenge Israel's killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh despite concerted efforts by European governments to dissuade Tehran from escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The sight of Hezbollah and Islamic Republic of Iran flags just outside the venue where Democrats held their national convention in Chicago this week is no longer shocking—but remains a troubling reality for many Americans.
Iran's UN mission has subtly indicated that Tehran's response to the Hamas leader's assassination would be delivered with "maximum surprise," maintaining a shroud of ambiguity.
Ali-Mohammad Naini, the spokesperson for the IRGC, tempered Iran’s rhetoric on Tuesday, adopting a more measured tone regarding sharp revenge for the killing of Ismail Haniyeh.
The daily headlines predicting an 'imminent attack' from Iran against Israel since the killing of Ismail Haniyeh haven't materialized and may never do so—but the psychological warfare may be just as tormenting for civilians.
Iran's Foreign Ministry said on Monday that the ongoing discussions for a ceasefire in Gaza have no bearing on Tehran's plans to retaliate against Israel for the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31.
The British and French foreign ministers have warned about the mounting danger of a full-scale regional conflict due to Iran's escalatory rhetoric, calling on all parties to show restraint.
Iran and Israel are on a knife edge of all-out war, amid a backdrop of nuclear weapons not off the table this time around, making it a more dangerous escalation than ever before.
Intense diplomatic efforts may have convinced Iran to delay its promised retaliation against Israel for at least another few days to see if the US-led attempts for a ceasefire in Gaza bear fruit.
The US believes Iran is still prepared to do something if they choose to, White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Friday, referring to Iran's promised attack against Israel.