The geopolitical situation in the Middle East has escalated, crude oil and US debt have risen, and the US president has warned Iran not to attack Israel

On Friday, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East escalated, fueling higher assets such as crude oil and U.S. bonds. According to CCTV News, US President Joe Biden said he did not want to disclose security information, but expected Iran to attack Israel "sooner or later".

Biden: Iran is expected to attack Israel "sooner or later".

The US president warned Iran against attacking Israel. According to CCTV News, on the 12th local time, US President Joe Biden said that he did not want to disclose security information, but expected Iran to attack Israel "sooner or later". Biden also warned Iran not to do so, saying that the United States would help Israel defend itself and that Iran would not succeed.

U.S. media said that Iran may strike at Israel in the next few days, but it will avoid U.S. involvement. According to US media reports on April 11, US officials claimed that the United States expects Iran to strike at Israel, but the US believes that Iran will avoid involving the United States. An anonymous U.S. official revealed that the U.S. side judged that Iran is planning to launch a larger-than-usual air strike on Israel in the coming days, which may include missile and drone strikes, but at the same time Iran is also adjusting its strike plan against Israel in order to seek to avoid triggering a regional war or forcing the United States to respond while sending a message to Israel.

U.S. Defense Department officials say the U.S. is strengthening its defense capabilities in the Middle East. On April 12, local time, Fox News reported that the United States is transferring "more assets" to the Middle East, aiming to "strengthen regional deterrence and strengthen the protection of US troops". On the same day, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby also told reporters that the United States believes that "the potential threat from Iran is real and credible" and that the United States is paying close attention, and that the current focus of the United States is to maintain communication with Israel while "making sure that Israel has what it needs and can protect itself."

The Israeli government met to discuss a response to a possible Iranian attack

Fearing that Iran may be about to launch a retaliatory attack on Israel, several departments of the Israeli government held a meeting on the 12th to formulate countermeasures.

On the 12th local time, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said that Israel's wartime cabinet held a meeting on the same day, and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu asked for an assessment of the current situation in response to a possible retaliatory attack by Iran. According to Israeli media reports, Netanyahu is also scheduled to hold an emergency meeting with various Israeli government departments later on the 12th.

The Israeli Minister of National Security's Office issued a statement on the same day, saying that the Israeli fire and rescue department and the police department also held a meeting on the 12th to discuss the response plan to the Iranian attack.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Israeli Army said that he was ready to respond to any situation. On the 12th local time, the Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Hezi Al-Halevi, made a comprehensive assessment of the Israeli army's preparations to deal with "all scenarios". Al-Halevi said the Israeli military continues to closely monitor the situation on Iran and other fronts, while preparing to coordinate and cooperate with the US military to deal with existing and potential threats. He said the troops were ready to respond to any situation. After completing the assessment, Halevi also met with visiting U.S. Central Command Commander Michael Kurilla.

The Secretary of Defense met with the commander of the U.S. Central Command to discuss the response to a possible Iranian attack. Israeli Defense Minister Gallant met with visiting US Central Command Commander Michael Kurilla at Hazor Air Base on the 12th local time. The two sides discussed Israel's readiness to respond to a possible Iranian attack. In a statement issued after the meeting, Gallant said Israel is ready to work with partners to defend Israel from the ground and from the air.

The Iranian Foreign Minister had a telephone conversation with the Italian counterpart to discuss the situation in the region

On the 12th local time, Iranian Foreign Minister Abdollahian had a telephone conversation with Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Tajani to discuss the recent situation in the Middle East.

Abdollahian expressed the hope that Italy would use the opportunity of the G7 presidency to work to end the Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip.

In the call, Tajani asked Iran to exercise restraint in the Israeli attack on Iran's diplomatic mission in Syria. He noted that Italy and the European Union have already condemned the attack in the wake of the attack and stressed the inviolability of diplomatic facilities. In addition, Tajani said that maritime security in the Red Sea is very important, and given the positive role played by Iran in easing tensions in the region, Italy hopes that Iran will continue on the path of establishing a lasting peace in the region.

Iran has criticized some Western countries for avoiding condemning Israel's "atrocities." According to a report by the Islamic Republic of Iran News Agency on the 12th, Iranian Foreign Minister Abdollahian recently criticized some Western countries for avoiding condemning this violation of international law and conventions on the attack on the Iranian embassy in Syria, and instead continued to support the "atrocities of the Israeli regime". Abdollahian stressed that in response to the Israeli air strike on the Iranian embassy in Syria, some Western governments have avoided condemning this "terrorist act" that clearly violates international law and conventions, and instead continue to support "the atrocities of the Israeli regime" and also called on Iran to exercise restraint. Abdollahian said that the war in the Gaza Strip has led to malnutrition among the local population. He called on the international community to put pressure on the Israeli regime to end the war.

Around Israel

Lebanese Allah said dozens of rockets had been fired at Israeli positions. On the 12th local time, Lebanese Allah announced that dozens of rockets were fired at Israel's al-Zaoura artillery positions in the Golan Heights that day. Allah said the attack was in response to an earlier Israeli attack on villages and towns in southern Lebanon. According to Iranian media, at least 50 rockets were fired from southern Lebanon that day. There has been no response from the Israeli side to this.

The Israeli army said that northern Israel was hit by rockets, and there were no casualties. On the 12th local time, the Israel Defense Forces issued a statement saying that about 40 rockets were fired from the direction of Lebanon towards northern Israel, some were intercepted, and the rest fell in open areas, and no casualties have been reported at present. The Israeli army said it also shot down two explosive-carrying drones launched by Lebanese Allah into Israel early on the 12th. On the same day, Lebanese Allah announced the firing of dozens of rockets at Israeli artillery positions. Allah said the attack was in response to an earlier Israeli attack on villages and towns in southern Lebanon.

Iraqi militias said they would respond to the "stupid act" of the United States and Israel. On the 12th local time, the Iraqi militia armed "Islamic Resistance Group" issued a statement saying that because of its support for Israel, the crimes of the United States are increasing day by day, and if the United States and Israel make any "stupid acts" in Iraq, Iran, Syria, Lebanon or Yemen, the "Islamic Resistance Group" will respond directly.

Many countries have advised their citizens not to travel to countries such as Israel and Iran

The Chinese embassy in Israel said that Chinese citizens should not travel to Israel for the time being. The Chinese Embassy in Israel issued a document saying that at present, the tension in the Middle East has further intensified, and the local security situation in Israel has become more severe and complex. Here, the Chinese Embassy in Israel once again reminds Chinese citizens in Israel to closely follow the local security situation and the safety reminders issued by the embassy, always tighten the string of security precautions, insist on not going out unless necessary, resolutely avoid going to high-risk areas and sensitive places, and earnestly enhance security awareness, overcome paralysis, strengthen security precautions, and ensure safety. At present, my relevant safety reminder is still in the state of "reminding Chinese citizens not to travel to Israel for the time being", please attach great importance to it and do not go to Israel in the near future. If you continue to travel, you may face a very high security risk and may affect the effectiveness of receiving assistance.

Recently, the diplomatic departments of many countries and embassies and consulates abroad have issued announcements reminding their citizens to pay attention to the current security situation in the Middle East and not to travel to Israel, Iran and other countries unless necessary.

On the 12th, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised French citizens not to travel to Iran, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine. The French Foreign Ministry also said on social media that relatives of French diplomats in Iran would be withdrawn to France.

The Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on the 12th saying that in view of the current situation in Iran and Israel, it is recommended that all Indian citizens do not travel to Iran and Israel until further notice.

The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on the 11th, saying that due to the instability of the situation between Palestine and Israel, Lebanon and Israel, Russian citizens should avoid traveling to the Middle East, especially Israel, Lebanon and Palestine, unless there are extremely necessary circumstances.

The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem also issued a security warning on the 11th, reminding local U.S. citizens to continue to be vigilant and increase security awareness, and at the same time asked U.S. government employees and their families to prohibit private travel outside Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Beersheba until further notice.

In addition, Lufthansa announced on the 12th that due to concerns about flight safety, the company will suspend flights between Frankfurt, Germany, and Tehran, the capital of Iran, until the 18th. This grounding period has been extended by five days from the previously announced. At present, Lufthansa and its Austrian Airlines are the only Western airlines to fly to Tehran.

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