Report: Diplomats Racing to Prevent Middle East War

US and EU diplomats are holding urgent discussions around the Middle East in a race to try to head off the threat of a full-blown regional war in the wake of the eliminations of senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut and Hamas political bureau leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, British media reported on Wednesday, July 31.

Enrique Mora, one of the EU’s most senior diplomats, was holding critical talks with officials in Iran’s capital on Wednesday after the killing of Haniyeh, as Brett McGurk, the White House’s top official in the Middle East, held discussions in Saudi Arabia. McGurk will next head to Cairo for further talks related to the Gaza war.

Officials said the talks were focused on convincing Tehran to either not respond or to carry out symbolic action after Israeli diplomats told Western interlocutors that their military did not plan further operations.

“Everyone since last night is putting pressure on Tehran to not respond and to contain this,” said one Western diplomat involved in the discussions.

Meanwhile, American media reported on Thursday, citing a Pentagon official, that following the assassinations, the US has deployed at least 12 warships to the Middle East, including the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, amphibious assault teams, and over 4,000 Marines and sailors.

According to the report, destroyers have been positioned in both the Persian Gulf and the Eastern Mediterranean. The US has redirected its warships from the Red Sea, where it combats Houthi missile and drone attacks in Yemen to protect commercial ships and support Israel. (INN / VFI News)

“God, we pray that You protect us from everyone wishing to harm our nation. We thank You for your faithfulness, Your provisions, and the allies You have given us who continually strive to protect our people. We pray in Yeshua’s name that You give us the strength to persevere and obey Your Will while this difficult situation unfolds. May You hold on to us with Your righteous right hand and help us withstand the tribulations while being focused on You and Your Goodness.”