Foreign Secretary David Lammy (right) and Defence Secretary John Healey (left) met with Lebanese PM Najib Mikati (center) in Beirut last night. IMAGE: Reuters
Foreign Secretary David Lammy calls for calm amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel. The UK advises its citizens to leave Lebanon due to escalating border clashes.
David Lammy has urged Iran and Israel to “avoid miscalculation” as tensions rise following the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
Visiting Lebanon alongside Defence Secretary John Healey, Lammy met with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati to discuss the volatile situation.
The UK Foreign Office has advised all British citizens to leave Lebanon, warning they risk “becoming trapped in a warzone” due to mounting border clashes.
This caution comes after a week of increasing hostilities in the region.
Haniyeh’s funeral saw Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian paying their respects.
The state broadcast showed Haniyeh’s coffin being moved through Tehran, with mourners throwing flowers.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, led a prayer yesterday over the coffins of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard.
Israel has vowed to target Hamas leaders in response to the group’s October 7 attack on southern Israel, which ignited the conflict in Gaza.
Iran, a supporter of Hamas and Hezbollah, continues to back Palestinian militant groups.
The situation escalated further with Israel’s strike on a Beirut suburb, targeting a Hezbollah commander linked to a recent deadly rocket attack on the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights.
In a bid to de-escalate the situation, Lammy posted on social media, emphasizing the need to prevent further escalation and avoid miscalculations.
He stated, “We must prevent further escalation in the Middle East and avoid miscalculation.’
He added, “It is in no one’s interest for others to be drawn into this conflict.”
We must prevent further escalation in the Middle East and avoid miscalculation.
I visited Lebanon with Defence Secretary @JohnHealey_MP for talks with PM @Najib_Mikati, Speaker Nabih Berri and FM Bou Habib.
It is in no one’s interest for others to be drawn into this conflict. pic.twitter.com/UaoWTiQGBn — David Lammy (@DavidLammy) August 1, 2024
Additionally, Lammy and Healey visited Qatar to push for de-escalation and an end to the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed these sentiments, urging all parties in the Middle East to avoid actions that could exacerbate the conflict.
SpecialistLeather225 on August 3rd, 2024 at 00:32 UTC »
With Iran seemingly indicating an attack is likely, it seems the potential for miscalculation is high.
Since the last time the region found itself in this situation (last April, when Iran retaliated against a strike by launching missiles/drones at Israel)
US forces are potentially being considered for targeting by Iran, which could strain the ability to intercept missiles/drones inbound for Israel. The Houthis may have hypersonic missiles now from Russia, who may consider their use against the US Navy a proportionate response to US weapon sales to Ukraine. Last April, Israel's retaliation for the Iranian strike appeared limited to an ominous small-scale hit against an SA-10 Fire Control Radar (IIRC), which I imagine is exactly what the IAF would want to hit if they were about to launch a sustained air attack (strategic messaging for: "To be continued..." and preclude future attacks?), so I think an Israeli response is likely in that case and may involve a fairly significant (and possibly historic) air operation. Kamala Harris will be under the microscope and may be expected to have a large role.With the elections just a few months out and Israel such a divisive issue, this is a great time for an actor such as China or Russia create dilemmas which may influence the elections. They may even be working together on their response.
pigeon888 on August 2nd, 2024 at 18:27 UTC »
Brilliant advice: bro, avoid miscalculation.
NotSoSaneExile on August 2nd, 2024 at 14:18 UTC »
Iran's proxies are attacking Israel daily through about 4 arguably more fronts. Yet it is Israel that needs to avoid "Miscalculation" instead of Iran being pressured to chill the F down. This kind of weak politics led us to the current state of the world. And I believe this is only the beginning.