US deploys a submarine to the Middle East amid rising hostilities

In response to escalating tensions in the region, the United States has deployed a guided missile submarine to the Middle East.

Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin states that an aircraft carrier already en route to the area will expedite its journey.

In light of the recent assassination of senior Hezbollah and Hamas leaders, there are growing concerns about the potential for a broader regional conflict. As a result, this move has been made to address these fears.

The statement highlights the unwavering commitment of the United States to protect Israel from potential aggression by Iran. Secretary Austin emphasized that the US would go to great lengths to ensure the defense of its ally.

The world is closely monitoring Iran's actions and waiting for any signs of how and when it will react to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the top political leader of Hamas, in Tehran on July 31st.

Iran has accused Israel of being responsible for the assassination of Mr. Haniyeh on their territory and has expressed their determination to take action against it. While Israel has refrained from making an official statement, there is a widespread belief that they were responsible for the incident.

According to a statement from the Pentagon, on Sunday, Mr. Austin had deployed the USS Georgia guided missile submarine to the region.

The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, carrying F-35C fighter jets, has been instructed to expedite its journey to the designated location. The ship had already set sail to take over from another US ship in the region.

Iran's intentions are still shrouded in uncertainty.

There is a potential threat looming over Israel, as Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia and political movement supported by Iran, could potentially launch an attack.

In a chilling turn of events, the group has made a solemn promise to retaliate against the recent killing of senior commander Fuad Shukr by Israel. This tragic incident occurred mere hours before the shocking assassination of Mr. Haniyeh in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

According to Professor Mehran Kamrava of Georgetown University in Qatar, the recent public deployment of a submarine by the US is believed to serve as a deterrent against Iran and Hezbollah.

However, he hinted that behind closed doors, some signs may point to Iran's potential intentions to take action.

Multiple passenger airlines have canceled flights to regional airports, citing concerns over a potential threat.

Lufthansa announced on Monday that it would be temporarily halting flights to several destinations, including Tel Aviv in Israel, Beirut in Lebanon, Amman in Jordan, Erbil in Iraq, and Tehran in Iran. The decision, which is in effect until August 21st, is based on the airline's current security analysis.

In addition, Swiss Air has announced the cancellation of its flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut during the specified time frame.

According to the AFP news agency, Air France has extended its flight suspension to Beirut. The suspension, which started on July 29th, will continue until Wednesday.

Several airlines, such as AirBaltic and EasyJet, have suspended flights to the region.

In a previous incident, Iran retaliated against Israel after an attack on its consulate in Syria back in April. The retaliation involved the use of numerous aerial drones and missiles.

The Biden administration is advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza as a means to alleviate tensions in the region. They have urged for talks to recommence on Thursday, emphasizing the importance of securing the release of Israeli hostages.

In response to US efforts to revive the ceasefire talks, Hamas stated on Sunday night that they believe Israel should be compelled to implement the deal that is already on the table.

Hamas has stated that for any resumption of ceasefire talks regarding the conflict in Gaza, they believe it is essential to build upon their previous position rather than initiating new rounds of negotiations.

Nevertheless, the statement suggested a tentative agreement to take part.

Previous accusations have been made by Washington, placing blame on Hamas for the breakdown of negotiations.

According to reports from the Israeli press, there is a growing perception in the US that Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, bears some responsibility for the current situation. This is due to allegations that he has been trying to appease far-right members of his coalition who are against reaching a deal.

In a surprising turn, the White House recently took the unprecedented step of openly criticizing one of the coalition leaders, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

Mr. Smotrich strongly advocated for Israel to reject the US push for ceasefire talks, arguing that it would amount to surrendering to Hamas. According to White House national security spokesman John Kirby, Mr. Smotrich's statements were strongly refuted as inaccurate and baseless.

Meanwhile, the leaders of the UK, France, and Germany have joined together in urging for the resumption of ceasefire talks.

The statement from UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized the situation's urgency, stating that there can be no further delay.

"Efforts have been made to collaborate with all parties involved to avoid further escalation. No stone will be left unturned in the pursuit of easing tensions and seeking stability."