Iran to attack Israel in a few days, says US

Washington: The United States government is convinced that Iran will attack Israel in the next few days, and the Biden administration is preparing to defend Israel, IANS reported, citing Axios.

It is learned three American sources told Axios that the Iranian attack was a retaliation for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and that the attack would follow the same pattern as the one conducted on April 13.

However, it would be more severe and could involve the Hezbollah of Lebanon.

But the administration fears that, unlike four months ago, it may be more difficult to mobilise the same regional and international coalition that helped Israel defend itself from the swarm of drones and missiles launched in April, reports Adnkronos news agency. The killing of Ismail Haniyeh "does not help" efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza with Hamas, US President Joe Biden admitted, speaking to reporters at the Andrews air base where he went to welcome prisoners exchanged with Russia. Biden - who had a telephone conversation yesterday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - said he was "very concerned" about the latest escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

"We have a ceasefire base; it has to go forward, and they have to go forward," the president urged again, in a reference to the phone call with Netanyahu, which he called "very direct."

Ismail Haniyeh will be buried in Qatar today. The body of the Hamas political leader arrived in Doha yesterday from Iran after thousands of people attended his funeral in Tehran. According to Hamas and Qatari state media, the funeral prayer will be held after the Friday prayer at Qatar's national mosque, followed by burial in the city of Lusail.