The US government has declared its support for Israel amidst tensions with Iran, following Iran’s announcement of plans for a retaliatory attack.
This retaliation stems from a deadly airstrike on Iran’s Damascus consulate, which occurred on April 1 and resulted in the deaths of 16 individuals, including two Iranian generals.
The White House has consistently cautioned Tehran against targeting Israel. Iran had pledged to avenge the airstrike, widely attributed to Israel. Recently, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards captured a container ship believed to be linked to Israel in the Strait of Hormuz.
The ship, operated by the Italian-Swiss group MSC, is carrying 25 crew members whose safety is being ensured by the relevant authorities. Both Israel and the US have condemned the seizure as piracy, with Israel additionally calling for the designation of the Revolutionary Guards as a “terrorist organization” by the European Union.
The National Security Council in Washington, represented by spokeswoman Adrienne Watson, has urged Iran to immediately release the vessel and its crew, emphasizing that seizing a civilian ship without justification violates international law and constitutes an act of piracy.
