Bipartisan Group Of Lawmakers Pressure Biden To Get Tough With Iran

He made the comments on Tuesday, echoing regime leadership statements reaffirming its support for its largest Palestinian proxy, Hamas.

Just after the Hamas invasion of Israel on October 7, Hossein Salami, the IRGC Commander, declared, "Today, the people of Palestine are pursuing and arresting Israeli soldiers without any fear, and Israel can no longer declare victory. Today signifies the end of occupation and aggression, with even the Americans unable to save them."

Michael Kurilla, the commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), has traveled to Israel to meet with Israeli officials. In a statement Tuesday, CENTCOM announced that one of Kurilla's primary goals during his visit is to assess the defensive needs of the Israeli army and work to prevent the escalation of conflict in the region.

According to reports from France 24, a Russian-proposed resolution to condemn the recent hostilities in the region failed to receive sufficient support in the United Nations Security Council, with four votes in favor, four abstentions, and six votes against.

The reason for opposition by the United States and several other countries is reportedly the absence of Hamas' name in the resolution as a party responsible for the deadly attacks on Israel on October 7.

While fears of a ground invasion into Gaza continue, the Israeli Defence Forces is keeping its cards close to its chest while it continues airstrikes on the strip.

“Some officials in certain countries, who have spoken with our officials, have protested in defense of the Zionist occupiers as to why Palestinians have killed civilians,” Khamenei stated.

“Firstly, this statement is contrary to the truth. Those who live in [Israeli] settlements are not civilians. They are all armed. Even if we assume they are non-combatants, how many non-combatants have been killed? The regime is now killing hundred times more women, children, the elderly, and the youth non-combatants who are in these buildings in Gaza, not the combatants who are not residing there. The combatants are in their own positions, and they also know this.” Khamenei said.

The Islamic Republic, led by the 83-year-old authoritarian ruler, has been financially and militarily supporting Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah and other militant organization designated as terrorist groups by several Western countries. Top Iranian officials and government media rejoiced the news of Hamas’ attack on October 7, after the enormity of civilian massacre has already emerged. The government ordered street celebration and vowed to continue support for Hamas.

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Khamenei went on to blame the United States for directing Israeli policies in the past one week, as Israel has been launching devastating air and artillery attacks against northern Gaza. Thousands of Palestinians have been killed and injured, as Hamas tries to prevent the population to move to less dangerous areas.

“They have to be prosecuted. The American government should also recognize its responsibility in this matter,” Khamenei said, and added, “Based on information we have, Americans are charting Israeli policies in the past one week. Americans should take responsibility, they are responsible. The bombings must be immediately stopped. Muslim nations are angry. Very angry. You see the signs of it, demonstrations by groups of people, not only in Islamic countries but also in Los Angeles, in the Netherlands, in France, in European countries, in Western countries. People are gathering, both Muslims and non-Muslims.”

He also warned that Muslims and the “resistance groups” might retaliate if “this crime continues.” It would be hard to prevent retaliation Khamenei said, quipping that in any case, “no matter what the Zionist regime does, it won't be able to compensate for the embarrassing defeat it suffered in this matter.”

Many Islamic republic officials and government entities have been sanctioned by the West over the years for their gross human rights violation against the Iranian population. Since September 2022, when widespread anti-regime protests broke out, security forces have killed well over 500 civilians and severely wounded hundreds. Many young protesters were targeted by shotgun pellets in the face and lost one or both eyes. The regime also arrested 22,000 people, including journalists and hundreds of minors.

At the same time, a deputy commander of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards was quoted by state media on Tuesday as saying that Israel will face another shockwave by the resistance front if its "atrocities" do not stop in Gaza.

"The resistance front's shocks against the Zionist regimes (Israel) will continue until this 'cancerous tumor' is eradicated from the world map," said Ali Fadavi.

"Another shockwave is on the way, if Israel does not end atrocities in Gaza."

Since the Hamas attack, the Iranian regime has mostly put aside its pretenses, showing clearly that Hamas and Hezbollah are virtually under their command.

During a televised statement on Monday, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian expressed concern about the continuation of what the Iranian regime refers to as "war crimes of the Zionist regime", claiming if the bombardment of Gaza does not stop, "new fronts will be opened", referring to its proxies in Lebanon and Syria on Israel's borders.

It further raised concerns of Iran's fueling an already bloody war which since Hamas' October 7 invasion of Israel, has seen thousands killed across Israel and Gaza.

Shortly after his remarks, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. The IDF aimed to thwart an attempted penetration by Hezbollah forces into northern Israel. The IDF announced it had killed four terrorists on Tuesday morning.

The IDF stated that the targeted sites in Lebanon were used by Hezbollah to direct acts of terrorism. The strikes were in response to previous attacks by Hezbollah against the IDF. Former Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal also encouraged Hezbollah to become more directly involved in the ongoing conflict, emphasizing the importance of unified efforts in the battle.

At the same time, US President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit Israel and then proceed to Jordan on Wednesday, where he will engage with leaders from both Israel and the Arab world.

Biden's primary objective is to convey an unwavering commitment from the United States to support Israel. His administration has affirmed its dedication to providing military assistance, dispatching US carriers and aid to the region.

The visit comes amid growing concerns that the conflict between Hamas and Israel would spread out and set the region ablaze.

Israeli forces have been preparing for a ground invasion of Gaza since last week, in retaliation for Hamas’ unprecedented attack that killed more than 1400 Israelis.

President Biden will also visit Jordan, where he will meet with King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. The leaders are expected to discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where over 2,700 have been killed in Israeli airstrikes.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said this morning that “the United States and Israel have agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organizations to reach civilians in Gaza.”

Blinken is on a marathon tour of the region. Monday, he had a 7-hour meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and his war cabinet.

President Biden's visit was announced only after Blinken received assurances that the Israeli government would agree to a comprehensive humanitarian aid package, including the establishment of safe zones for Palestinian civilians.

The US government seems to be pursuing a dual objective of aid and de-escalation, while supporting Israel in any decision it takes in its war against Hamas.

"We're not dictating terms or operational directions to the Israelis," said the Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby on Monday. “We don't want to see escalation. We want to make sure humanitarian assistance begins to flow."

Hamas has taken numerous hostages into Gaza, including an undisclosed number of American citizens. Biden’s visit underscores the urgency of resolving this crisis.

US officials have expressed deep concern about the risk of this conflict escalating into a broader regional war. Biden has also issued warnings to other actors, particularly Iran, urging restraint and caution.

On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Kanaani issued a veiled threat to Israel. “They expose themselves to all sides that consider themselves committed to supporting the Palestinian people," he said, implying that its proxies on Israel's Lebanese and Syrian borders will once again be mobilized.

The Biden administration is keeping a watchful eye on the sentiments in Arab countries, where there is significant sympathy for the Palestinian cause. Escalation in the region could intensify pressure on these governments to take action against Israel, further complicating the situation.

Hezbollah began its most active day of attacks against Israel since the war began as tensions simmered and 28 towns and villages in Israel were subsequently evacuated.

On the other side, Israel’s attack on Gaza has displaced more than half a million Palestinians. The Israeli military says it won’t stop until Hamas is eliminated. It has called for over a million Palestinians to evacuate northern Gaza. UN officials have deemed this order unworkable and against international law.

The UN and the Biden administration have tried to draw a clear distinction between Hamas and Palestinian civilians, as Hamas has been urging residents not to leave northern Gaza. Many accuse the militant group of using civilians as human shields.

Egypt, a historical mediator in cease-fires between Israel and Palestine, plays a pivotal role in the ongoing efforts to secure humanitarian assistance. The Rafah crossing on the Egyptian border with Gaza is seen as the only lifeline for many Palestinians.

Secretary Blinken has tried to negotiate the opening of the Rafah crossing for the departure of foreigners and dual nationals. Following his meeting with President Sisi, Blinken announced that Rafah "will be opened".

The status of this agreement remains somewhat unclear.

He expressed hope to be able to ensure the Israeli military has what it needs as it fights a deepening war against Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The trip by Army General Michael "Erik" Kurilla, head of US Central Command, is the latest by a senior US official to Israel ahead of an expected ground assault by Israel's military in Gaza.

The US military is increasing its firepower in the region, aiming to prevent Iran and other Iran-backed groups from getting involved in the conflict as international fears of a wider, regional war grow.

The Pentagon is also rushing weaponry, including air defenses and munitions, to Israel.

"I'm here to ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself, particularly focused on avoiding other parties expanding the conflict," Kurilla told Reuters, which is traveling with him, in brief remarks before landing.

A US official told Reuters Kurilla was scheduled to hold high-level meetings with Israel's military leadership, ensuring a clear understanding of the close US ally's defense requirements.

Kurilla was also expected to outline US military support aimed at avoiding an expansion of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Washington has deployed an aircraft carrier strike group to the eastern Mediterranean and is sending another carrier to the region in the coming days, moves the Biden administration says are meant as a deterrent, not a provocation.

The US already has a network of bases in the Middle East with troops, fighter aircraft and warships.

The United States has also told some troops, potentially 2,000, to be ready to deploy within 24 hours if notified - instead of the usual 96 hours - and could include units that provide assistance like medical aid if needed, a US official said on Monday.

Report by Reuters