Baghdad: Israel’s Channel 13 reported that US President Donald Trump conveyed a message to Gulf mediators stating that if a ceasefire is not reached this week, they should prepare for escalation. According to Channel 13, this came hours after Iran launched four missiles toward Jordan and other areas in the Gulf on Sunday, amid US airstrikes on Iranian territory overnight.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, Channel 13 quoted a senior Israeli officer as saying, “If the missiles had hit Eilat, Israel would have been obligated to respond,” referring to the recent Iranian attack targeting the Aqaba region of Jordan. The report also stated that Israel is intensifying its preparations for a potential missile launch from Iran and is sending a threatening message to Tehran: “The attack plans are ready.”
Earlier, Israeli Chief of Staff, General Eyal Zamir, conducted a situation assessment at the West Bank Division, accompanied by the Central Command chief, Major General Avi Blot, and other officials. Speaking to commanders, Zamir addressed the escalation in the Middle East, saying, “We are closely monitoring developments in Iran and maintaining a high state of alert. We tracked the launches toward the Aqaba region today, and our air defense system is on high alert.” He added, “We are prepared to return to combat immediately and will act with overwhelming force against anyone who attacks us.”
Earlier, four missiles were reportedly launched from Iran toward Jordan, and explosions were subsequently reported in the Islamic Republic in the southwestern city of Abadan. Jordan stated that its US-made air defense systems intercepted three missiles, while one landed in an open area. Following the launch, US refueling aircraft were evacuated from Ramon Airbase. The Israeli military had previously warned of the possibility that the launches could spill over into Israel.
However, the army emphasized that, as of now, there is no change in the Home Front Command’s instructions: “A number of interceptor missiles were launched toward the interceptor debris to eliminate the possibility of debris falling on Israeli territory. As a result, debris from an interceptor missile was detected falling in an open area near the city of Eilat, causing no damage or injuries. No sirens were activated, in accordance with established policy, and the incident has concluded without any change to the Home Front Command’s instructions.”
Earlier, authorities in Jordan announced that the international airport and seaport in Aqaba were operating normally, contrary to reports of an evacuation due to a security threat. The Jordanian denial followed a warning issued by the US Embassy in Amman, which claimed that the airport and seaport in Aqaba had been evacuated due to what was described as a “specific and credible threat.” The warning advised US citizens to avoid these areas and to follow the instructions of security authorities. Meanwhile, the Iranian news agency Mehr reported that the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran confirmed that the United States attacked a nuclear power plant under construction in the southwest of the country, deeming the attack a violation of international law.