This evening, the “Wall Street Journal” reported that the US sent a severe warning to Iran against an attack on Israel, saying that an Israeli response would lead to significant damage to the Iranian economy. According to an American source, the message was conveyed to Tehran both directly and through unnamed intermediaries.
The warning refers to the government of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pashkhian, but notes that the important decisions in Tehran are made by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Yesterday it was reported that Pazkhian, who is considered a reformist and more moderate leader, urged Khamenei to refrain from a direct attack against Israel for fear of a severe reaction that would harm Iran’s economy.
American officials stated that the messages sent to Iran were not a threat of an American attack but a warning against a possible Israeli response in the event of a significant Iranian attack. They also emphasized that “there is a serious risk of consequences for Iran’s economy and its stability if the new government chooses this way.”
At the same time, it was reported that the US is increasing its forces in the Middle East. This evening the US Central Command announced the deployment of F-22 stealth fighter jets in the region. In addition, additional destroyers capable of intercepting ballistic missiles were transferred. It was recently reported in the Washington Post that the American aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln left Guam a few days ago on its way to the Middle East to replace the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, and is currently staying in the Philippine Sea.
The spokesman for the American State Department, Matthew Miller, was asked about the report in the “Wall Street Journal” and did not confirm or deny it directly, but noted that “many times what is reported is not described correctly. It is clear that an escalation of the situation can damage the Iranian economy and any economy in the world, war always has the potential to damage economies, and any problem the region faces becomes worse by escalation, and that certainly includes economic damage.”
