Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, special representatives of the US President, are scheduled to visit Israel on March 10 in response to recent Israeli airstrikes on Iranian oil facilities. This visit is intended to address escalating tensions between the United States and Israel, prompted by the significant military actions taken against Iran’s energy infrastructure.
A senior American official, speaking to Channel 12, indicated that Israel had previously informed the US about its plans to target energy sites but did not anticipate the scale of the strikes. The official expressed concerns regarding the potential repercussions of these attacks, which could inadvertently bolster the Iranian regime and shift public sentiment against both Israel and the United States.
According to the Israeli security representative, the strikes aimed to convey a message to Tehran, urging it to cease attacks on civilian targets in Israel. Discussions regarding the military actions have predominantly remained at the military level, lacking a clear political dialogue between the two governments.
On February 28, Israel launched an attack on Tehran, which was followed by a statement from US President Donald Trump declaring the commencement of a “major military operation” against Iran. Trump accused the Iranian government of financing and training militant groups in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine, asserting that the operation’s objective was to dismantle Iran’s missile industry and prevent global destabilization.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that it had launched missiles and drones toward Israel and targeted US military bases in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. In light of the military actions, French President Emmanuel Macron called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
The European Union reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring regional security and stability in the Middle East. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that it is justifiable to provide Iranians with the opportunity to rid themselves of their “terrorist regime” and ensure safety for all nations affected by Iranian attacks.
On March 1, the IRGC claimed it was initiating “the most destructive offensive operation in the history of the Islamic Republic” against Israel and US military bases. In response, Trump urged the Iranian regime to abandon these plans and threatened a “very strong strike” in retaliation.
On March 2, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the next phase of military operations against Iran would be even more devastating. By March 6, Trump emphasized the need for a complete change in Iran’s leadership, mentioning that he had several candidates in mind for a “good leader.” On March 8, Iran’s Assembly of Experts elected Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the third Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. Trump declined to comment on this election, stating only, “We’ll see what happens,” while previously suggesting that the new Iranian leader would not last long without approval from the White House.
US officials are set to visit Israel following significant Israeli airstrikes on Iranian oil facilities. The visit aims to address rising tensions and concerns over the potential ramifications of these military actions.
Source: The Times of Israel