US warship docks in Gulf of Aqaba as fears of Iran strike grow
A United States military vessel on Friday began to dock in the Gulf of Aqaba as tension with Iran escalates, Israel's public broadcaster Kan reported.
The development comes as part of advanced military preparations and coordination between the US and Israel.
“The move is part of US-Israeli military and security coordination, including reinforced naval deployment and heightened defensive and offensive readiness in anticipation of potential developments,” Kan reported, quoting a security source.
The report added that the step strengthens naval deployment, raising the level of defensive and offensive readiness in "anticipation of any possible field developments".
The Gulf of Aqaba is located directly to the south of the Israeli port city of Eilat, which suspended all operations in July due to a financial crisis that paralysed the strategic facility after attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement.
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On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also held a security meeting with senior military officials to discuss what was described as a “classified topic".
The Times of Israel reported that the meeting held in West Jerusalem focused on the possibility of a US attack on Iran, primarily on its nuclear and missile programmes.
Israel's head of the military intelligence directorate, Shlomi Binder, made a visit to Washington on Wednesday to discuss what Channel 12 described as “sensitive issues” related to a possible Israeli strike on Iran.
Heightened tensions
Iran has been engulfed in protests since peaceful demonstrations began on 28 December, triggered by soaring prices and a worsening cost-of-living crisis.
The demonstrations grew, and were met with a severe crackdown, after Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei declared in early January that “rioters must be put in their place".
Footage earlier this month showed large pro-government rallies in the capital as well as Mashhad in the east.
Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has accused Israel of orchestrating violence and said the protests were infiltrated by external "elements who had a plan to create a big number of killings to provoke President Trump to enter into this conflict and start a new war against Iran".
On 15 January, after Iran closed its airspace to commercial flights, several municipalities in southern Israeli cities of Dimona, Beersheba and Gan Yavne announced that they were opening bomb shelters to the public.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that chief of staff Eyal Zamir "directed an increase in defensive readiness across all formations" of the military.
On Thursday, Kan reported that Israel’s security establishment is closely monitoring US movements amid assessments that the "coming period could see decisive steps"
Israeli security agencies are increasing their level of readiness in anticipation of a possible decision by US President Donald Trump, the report said. Meeting held by top official discusses ensuring early warning for civilians, as per the report.
Tehran has warned that it will strike Israel and US military bases in the event of attacks on its territory.
Continued military build-up
The United States stepped up its military build-up in the Middle East with the arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group on Sunday.
Israeli media reported that the deployment positions American forces within striking distance of Iran.
"In addition to the naval response, the US military is preparing to reinforce its ground-based defences as well, with a THAAD air defence battery expected to arrive in the coming days," Israel's Channel 13 reported.
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he is sending a "massive armada" towards Iran, threatening Tehran against resuming its nuclear programme.
Additionally, the US has deployed F-15E Strike Eagles to Jordan and B-52 bombers to Qatar, creating multiple strike options.
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Mohammad Akbarzadeh has warned that countries will be “considered hostile” if their territory is used to attack Iran.
“Neighbouring countries are our friends, but if their soil, sky, or waters are used against Iran, they will be considered hostile,” Akbarzadeh was quoted as saying by the Fars news agency.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which host US military bases, have raised concerns along with the UAE, Oman and Kuwait, that oppose US strikes because they fear they could be caught in the crossfire.
As tensions rise, Saudi Arabia’s defence minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman, on Thursday met with US officials in Washinton to discuss Iran.
Earlier Thursday, Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said Tehran is open to negotiations with the US, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA.
Iranian officials have said that Tehran remains open to talks only under what it describes as “fair, balanced and non-coercive terms”.
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