Iran could launch an attack on Israel on Monday (Aug 5), US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has warned his counterparts from the G7 countries, according to a report in Axios.

Blinken set up a conference call with the US allies to generate 'last-minute diplomatic pressure on Iran and Hezbollah' to minimise the threat of an all-out war in the volatile region.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Referring to the recent deployment of US warships and fighter jets in the Middle East, Blinken said it was for defensive purposes only.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the G7 ministers released a statement expressing 'deep concern' over the unfolding situation.

"We express our deep concern over the heightened level of tension in the Middle East which threatens to ignite a broader conflict in the region," read the statement.&nbsp;

"We urge all involved parties to refrain from perpetuating the current destructive cycle of retaliatory violence, to lower tensions and engage constructively towards de-escalation. No country or nation stands to gain from further escalation in the Middle East," it added.

White House believes a response from Tehran might be similar to the barrage of ballistic missiles and drones it launched against Israel on April 13. However, the scale might be much bigger as other Israeli enemies join forces.&nbsp;

Watch: West Asia Crisis: Iran and its proxies plan retaliation attack against Israel

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/west-asia-crisis-iran-and-its-proxies-plan-retaliation-attack-against-israel-746571/embed" width="560"></iframe>

<h2>Israel to launch preemptive strike?</h2>

While the situation simmers, Tel Aviv is planning to launch a preemptive strike, according to a report in Times of Israel.&nbsp;Israel's leading intelligence agencies Mossad and Shin Bet and their chiefs met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a meeting, also attended by&nbsp;Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi.

The strike would only be sanctioned if there is airtight evidence that Tehran had cocked its guns and was ready to engage in the dogfight.&nbsp;

Israel stands on the cusp of another war after it was allegedly linked to back-to-back assassinations&nbsp;of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut.&nbsp;

Washington is especially wary after Iranian Supreme Leader&nbsp;Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said avenging&nbsp;Haniyeh's blood was their 'duty' and vowed retaliation against Israel.&nbsp;

“The criminal and terrorist Zionist regime martyred our dear guest in our house and made us bereaved,"&nbsp;Khamenei said last week.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-deploys-warships-and-fighters-jets-to-protect-israel-from-hamas-iran-and-hezbollah-triple-whammy-746730" target="_blank">Also read |&nbsp;US deploys warships and fighter jets to protect Israel from Hamas, Iran and Hezbollah triple whammy</a>

According to reports, Mossad hired Iranian agents that planted bombs in the guesthouse where&nbsp;Haniyeh was staying in Tehran. After it was confirmed it was indeed the Hamas chief in one of the rooms, the bomb was detonated from outside while Iranian agents escaped.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Iran could launch an attack on Israel on Monday (Aug 5), US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has warned his counterparts from the G7 countries, according to a report in Axios.

Iran could launch an attack on Israel on Monday (Aug 5), US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has warned his counterparts from the G7 countries, according to a report in Axios. Blinken set up a conference call with the US allies to generate 'last-minute diplomatic pressure on Iran and Hezbollah' to minimise the threat of an all-out war in the volatile region. Referring to the recent deployment of US warships and fighter jets in the Middle East, Blinken said it was for defensive purposes only. Meanwhile, the G7 ministers released a statement expressing 'deep concern' over the unfolding situation. "We express our deep concern over the heightened level of tension in the Middle East which threatens to ignite a broader conflict in the region," read the statement. "We urge all involved parties to refrain from perpetuating the current destructive cycle of retaliatory violence, to lower tensions and engage constructively towards de-escalation. No country or nation stands to gain from further escalation in the Middle East," it added. White House believes a response from Tehran might be similar to the barrage of ballistic missiles and drones it launched against Israel on April 13. However, the scale might be much bigger as other Israeli enemies join forces. Watch: West Asia Crisis: Iran and its proxies plan retaliation attack against Israel Israel to launch preemptive strike? While the situation simmers, Tel Aviv is planning to launch a preemptive strike, according to a report in Times of Israel. Israel's leading intelligence agencies Mossad and Shin Bet and their chiefs met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a meeting, also attended by Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi. The strike would only be sanctioned if there is airtight evidence that Tehran had cocked its guns and was ready to engage in the dogfight. Israel stands on the cusp of another war after it was allegedly linked to back-to-back assassinations of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut. Washington is especially wary after Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said avenging Haniyeh's blood was their 'duty' and vowed retaliation against Israel. “The criminal and terrorist Zionist regime martyred our dear guest in our house and made us bereaved," Khamenei said last week. Also read | US deploys warships and fighter jets to protect Israel from Hamas, Iran and Hezbollah triple whammy According to reports, Mossad hired Iranian agents that planted bombs in the guesthouse where Haniyeh was staying in Tehran. After it was confirmed it was indeed the Hamas chief in one of the rooms, the bomb was detonated from outside while Iranian agents escaped. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Iran could attack Israel on Monday, Blinken warns G7 nations: Report

In a continuation of cordial ties with New Delhi, the United States on Tuesday called India as "one of the most important partners" in the Indo-Pacific region and welcomed the nation's emergence as "a leading global power".&nbsp;

"India is one of the most important partners in the Indo-Pacific region to us. We welcome India's emergence as a leading global power and its role as a net security provider in the region," State Department Spokesperson Ned Price was quoted as saying by news agency PTI to reporters in his daily media briefing.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-eam-s-jaishankar-speaks-to-us-state-secretary-blinken-362555/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Earlier on Tuesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken also spoke with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar, where the two leaders reaffirmed the ties between both the countries and discussed mutual concerns, including the military coup in Myanmar.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/115-foreign-missions-send-3000-names-for-indias-covid-vaccination-drive-362377">115 foreign missions send 3000 names for India's COVID vaccination drive</a>

Blinken also talked about the importance of rule of law and the democratic process in Myanmar.&nbsp;

"Both sides look forward to expanded regional cooperation, including through the Quad, and to address the challenges of Covid and climate change," the spokesperson said.

He also said that the US-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership is both broad as well as multi-faceted.

"We'll continue to engage at the highest levels of our government to deepen cooperation on many fronts, and we are confident that the strong and upward trajectory of our partnership will, in fact, continue," Price said.&nbsp;

The US also welcomed India again joining as the non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council last month for a two-year term, he said.&nbsp;

Price also highlighted that India is the largest and the most important trading partner of the US with the bilateral trade spiking to USD 146 billion in 2019 and said that US companies are a large source of foreign direct investment in India.&nbsp;

In a continuation of cordial ties with New Delhi, the United States on Tuesday called India as "one of the most important partners" in the Indo-Pacific region and welcomed the nation's emergence as "a leading global power".

In a continuation of cordial ties with New Delhi, the United States on Tuesday called India as "one of the most important partners" in the Indo-Pacific region and welcomed the nation's emergence as "a leading global power". "India is one of the most important partners in the Indo-Pacific region to us. We welcome India's emergence as a leading global power and its role as a net security provider in the region," State Department Spokesperson Ned Price was quoted as saying by news agency PTI to reporters in his daily media briefing. Watch | Earlier on Tuesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken also spoke with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar, where the two leaders reaffirmed the ties between both the countries and discussed mutual concerns, including the military coup in Myanmar. Also read | 115 foreign missions send 3000 names for India's COVID vaccination drive Blinken also talked about the importance of rule of law and the democratic process in Myanmar. "Both sides look forward to expanded regional cooperation, including through the Quad, and to address the challenges of Covid and climate change," the spokesperson said. He also said that the US-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership is both broad as well as multi-faceted. "We'll continue to engage at the highest levels of our government to deepen cooperation on many fronts, and we are confident that the strong and upward trajectory of our partnership will, in fact, continue," Price said. The US also welcomed India again joining as the non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council last month for a two-year term, he said. Price also highlighted that India is the largest and the most important trading partner of the US with the bilateral trade spiking to USD 146 billion in 2019 and said that US companies are a large source of foreign direct investment in India.

US welcomes India's rise as 'leading global power' as Jaishankar-Blinken talk over phone

In a way endorsing the India policy of outgoing US President Donald Trump, a top incoming Biden Administration official said India has been a bipartisan success story of successive American administrations.

''India has been a bipartisan success story of our successive administrations,''&nbsp;Secretary of State nominee Tony Blinken told members of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee during his confirmation hearing on Tuesday.

Responding to a Senator's question during his marathon confirmation hearing that lasted more than four hours, Blinken said this relationship started towards the end of the Clinton administration.

''During the Obama administration, we deepened cooperation on defence procurement and information sharing, and the Trump administration carried that forward including its concept of Indo-Pacific and to make sure we were working with India so that no country in the region including China could challenge its sovereignty and also working with it on concerns that we share about terrorism,''&nbsp;he said.

Blinken said there are many ways the two countries can deepen the cooperation between them and one area that has a lot of promise and necessity is climate.

''Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi has been a very strong advocate of renewable energy and different technologies. I think there is very strong potential for our countries to work together," Blinken said.

A confidante of President-elect Joe Biden, Blinken had served as the Deputy Secretary of State in the second term of the Obama Administration and the National Security Advisor to Biden when he was the vice president.

During virtual India's Independence Day celebrations last year organized by the Biden Campaign, Blinken had batted for an India-US relationship.

''The Vice President (Biden) has long been a champion of stronger ties with India. I saw this firsthand, I started working for him in 2002 on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Then, of course, the Obama-Biden administration and his years as Vice President.

"But if you go back 15 years, Joe Biden had a vision for the future of US-India relations. In 2006, he said, my dream is that in 2020, the two closest nations in the world will be India and the United States,''&nbsp;Blinken said on August 15 during the virtual event.

''Well, we're not quite there, but it's a terrific vision, and one that I know he will act to realize, as president of the United States.''

&nbsp;He was the driving force of the lifting of nuclear sanctions on India, and then the passage of this landmark India civil nuclear deal. And this is something I got to see up close and personal with him in the Senate,? Blinken said.&nbsp;

In a way endorsing the India policy of outgoing US President Donald Trump, a top incoming Biden Administration official said India has been a bipartisan success story of successive American administrations.

In a way endorsing the India policy of outgoing US President Donald Trump, a top incoming Biden Administration official said India has been a bipartisan success story of successive American administrations. ''India has been a bipartisan success story of our successive administrations,'' Secretary of State nominee Tony Blinken told members of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee during his confirmation hearing on Tuesday. Responding to a Senator's question during his marathon confirmation hearing that lasted more than four hours, Blinken said this relationship started towards the end of the Clinton administration. ''During the Obama administration, we deepened cooperation on defence procurement and information sharing, and the Trump administration carried that forward including its concept of Indo-Pacific and to make sure we were working with India so that no country in the region including China could challenge its sovereignty and also working with it on concerns that we share about terrorism,'' he said. Blinken said there are many ways the two countries can deepen the cooperation between them and one area that has a lot of promise and necessity is climate. ''Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi has been a very strong advocate of renewable energy and different technologies. I think there is very strong potential for our countries to work together," Blinken said. A confidante of President-elect Joe Biden, Blinken had served as the Deputy Secretary of State in the second term of the Obama Administration and the National Security Advisor to Biden when he was the vice president. During virtual India's Independence Day celebrations last year organized by the Biden Campaign, Blinken had batted for an India-US relationship. ''The Vice President (Biden) has long been a champion of stronger ties with India. I saw this firsthand, I started working for him in 2002 on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Then, of course, the Obama-Biden administration and his years as Vice President. "But if you go back 15 years, Joe Biden had a vision for the future of US-India relations. In 2006, he said, my dream is that in 2020, the two closest nations in the world will be India and the United States,'' Blinken said on August 15 during the virtual event. ''Well, we're not quite there, but it's a terrific vision, and one that I know he will act to realize, as president of the United States.'' He was the driving force of the lifting of nuclear sanctions on India, and then the passage of this landmark India civil nuclear deal. And this is something I got to see up close and personal with him in the Senate,? Blinken said.

US Secretary of State nominee Tony Blinken says India has been a bipartisan success story

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Iran could attack Israel on Monday, Blinken warns G7 nations: Report

US welcomes India's rise as 'leading global power' as Jaishankar-Blinken talk over phone

US Secretary of State nominee Tony Blinken says India has been a bipartisan success story