There is a tense wait for a potential revenge action after the deadly attacks on two high-ranking leaders from Hamas and Hezbollah, both of whom have close relations with Iran. The attack on Hamas' political leader Ismail Haniya at the end of July took place when he visited Iran's capital Tehran to participate in the inauguration of the country's new president.
Several other Muslim countries, including Jordan, do not openly support a military response from Tehran. According to American and Israeli sources, Iran is instead considering more targeted attacks on those responsible for the attack in which Haniya died, for example against agents from Israel's intelligence service Mossad, reports The Guardian.
Iran has received warnings from several countries not to escalate the situation, as many fear that a coordinated attack from Iran and its allies will lead to a major war in the Middle East.
No Support for Attack
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) met last week and unanimously condemned the killing of Haniya. However, no formal, joint support for a counterattack was forthcoming.
Pakistan's Foreign Minister urged to "keep a cool head" and not to "fall into Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trap". Jordan has stated at a separate meeting with Iran that it will shoot down all missiles that pass through its airspace on their way to Israel.
Hezbollah Militia Prepares
Iran and the Iran-backed Shia militia Hezbollah are said not to be entirely in agreement on how a potential attack should be carried out.
Sources within the US intelligence services claim that all indications suggest that the Lebanese militia is preparing an attack on its own initiative.
The proximity to Israel means that Hezbollah can quickly mobilize its forces and attack its neighboring country – without waiting for Iran.
