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Israel and U.S. Prepare for Potential Iranian Attack Amid Ceasefire Efforts

As efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza gain momentum, Israel and the United States are preparing for a possible Iranian attack on Israel. This comes as negotiations between Israel and Hamas are expected to resume later this week, with mediators urging both sides to return to the table to finalize a ceasefire agreement.
The renewed push for talks comes after recent assassinations of key Hezbollah and Hamas leaders, which Iran and its Lebanese ally have vowed to avenge. The ceasefire negotiations are set to take place in Cairo or Doha on Thursday, with the United States, Egypt, and Qatar planning to present a “final bridging proposal” to both parties.
The assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, for which Iran blames Israel, has further complicated the situation. Although Israel has not confirmed its involvement, the killing has heightened the risk of an Iranian retaliation that could disrupt the ceasefire talks.
In a joint statement, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom urged both Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement, warning of the potential for a broader regional conflict. The White House echoed these concerns, with National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby indicating that the U.S. is preparing for a possible Iranian attack in the coming days.
Despite these threats, U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel expressed confidence that the ceasefire talks would continue. While Hamas has yet to confirm its participation, it has signaled a willingness to strike a deal.
Following Haniyeh’s assassination, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued warnings of retaliation, emphasizing that the killing would not go unpunished. However, there are indications that Iran may delay its response if a ceasefire is achieved.
In anticipation of a possible Iranian attack, the U.S. has bolstered its military presence in the region, deploying a guided missile submarine and accelerating the arrival of a carrier strike group. Additionally, Israel has suspended vacation flights for military personnel as it braces for potential conflict.
Meanwhile, the situation in Gaza remains dire, with continued Israeli strikes leading to significant civilian casualties. Over the weekend, an Israeli attack on a mosque and school in Gaza City killed at least 93 Palestinians, drawing international condemnation.
As ceasefire talks approach, pressure is mounting on both Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement and prevent further escalation in the region. However, the involvement of hardline factions within Hamas and the looming threat of Iranian retaliation continue to pose significant challenges to achieving peace.
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Russia Demands SWIFT Reconnection as Condition to Revive Black Sea Initiative
Russia has set forth a key demand for the restoration of the Black Sea Initiative—reconnecting its Agricultural Bank, Rosselkhozbank, to the SWIFT financial system. This request, which falls under the jurisdiction of the European Union (EU), comes amid ongoing negotiations between global powers on the war in Ukraine.
Partial Ceasefire and Black Sea Security Agreement
Following recent talks in Saudi Arabia, the United States announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a partial ceasefire specifically covering energy facilities. While this fell short of the broader ceasefire pushed by former President Donald Trump, the parties also agreed on measures to ensure the safe navigation of commercial vessels in the Black Sea and to prevent their use for military purposes.
However, the Kremlin quickly detailed additional conditions, demanding the lifting of sanctions on food exports, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, and cargo insurance. Most notably, Russia is insisting that Rosselkhozbank and other financial institutions involved in agricultural trade be reinstated on SWIFT, a global messaging system that facilitates secure financial transactions.
EU’s Role and Sanctions History
SWIFT, headquartered in Belgium, falls under EU regulations. In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU removed several Russian banks from SWIFT in 2022, including Sberbank, Credit Bank of Moscow, and Rosselkhozbank. The exclusion was a significant blow to Russia’s financial system, as it restricted the country’s ability to conduct international transactions.
Rosselkhozbank, a state-owned institution, plays a critical role in facilitating payments for Russia’s agricultural exports, a major revenue source through the global sale of wheat, barley, and corn. While the EU has not directly sanctioned Russian agricultural exports, the banking restrictions have complicated payments for these transactions, leading to the collapse of the initial Black Sea Initiative brokered by Turkey and the United Nations.
Diplomatic Tensions and Uncertain Outcomes
The demand to reinstate Rosselkhozbank puts the EU in a difficult position. Granting this request could signal a willingness to make concessions, potentially encouraging Russia to seek further sanctions relief. However, refusing it could provoke tensions with the Trump administration, which is eager to secure a ceasefire.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently opposed easing sanctions, arguing that they must remain in place until Russia ends its military aggression. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed this stance, stating that sanctions would only be lifted after Russia takes concrete steps toward peace.
As EU sanctions require unanimous renewal every six months, any member state could disrupt the process. Hungary, which has previously expressed opposition to sanctions, could leverage this situation to push for changes when restrictions are up for review on July 31.
Future of SWIFT and Global Financial Pressures
While the EU holds the power to reinstate Rosselkhozbank’s SWIFT access, the U.S. could signal leniency by ensuring that those engaging with the bank avoid legal repercussions. Analysts suggest that Russia’s demand may be a strategic move to test both Washington and Brussels, pressuring the EU to reconsider its stance on financial restrictions.
For now, the EU remains firm in its approach. France has indicated that sanctions should remain unless Russia agrees to a full ceasefire, reparations, and security guarantees for Ukraine. However, with negotiations ongoing and international pressure mounting, the debate over SWIFT and broader sanctions relief is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
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