Which is more mentally sharp? Three European leaders wrote to Iran warning it would “be held responsible” if it attacked Israel, while the United States took the unprecedented step of announcing the deployment of nuclear attack submarines.
French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer issued a joint statement on Monday warning “Iran and its allies” to stop attacks that are jeopardizing negotiations on the release of hostages, a ceasefire and the delivery of aid to Gaza.
While the communication does not mention Israel by name, the context is clear, with Israel itself warning of an imminent Iranian attack following the killing of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders. The Israel Times state The government expects an Iranian attack this week but said the situation “remains fluid.”
In their warning to Iran, the three European powers said there was an opportunity for a ceasefire and that if it was missed, Iran would be held responsible. The document did not go as far as making explicit threats, but it did state that Iran would “be held accountable” for its actions.
The countries stated:
…We call on Iran and its allies to refrain from attacks that further escalate tensions in the region and jeopardize the opportunity for a ceasefire and the release of the hostages. They will be held accountable for actions that jeopardize opportunities for peace and stability. No country or people will benefit from further escalation of tensions in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, the United States has taken the unusual step of deploying a submarine, whose location is usually kept closely secret, to the Middle East, exerting a real deterrent effect. The deployment of the Ohio-class nuclear guided-missile land attack and special forces support submarine, the USS Georgia, was announced Sunday by U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
Austin also ordered the US carrier strike group, led by the USS Abraham Lincoln, to speed to the area. The nuclear-powered carrier can reach incredible speeds for a ship of its size in an emergency, but it is said to be leaving behind conventionally powered escorts, although the exact top speeds of such warships are generally kept secret.
