Israel braces for Iran and Lebanon twin attack as world leaders make last-ditch efforts to prevent all-out war

Iran and its allies could launch a significant attack on Israel within days, the US warned on Monday night.

Washington also confirmed that it has increased its military presence in the region to help Israel defend itself.

It came as UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer took part in a joint call about the looming threat with his US, French, German and Italian counterparts, who called on Iran to “stand down”.

The leaders fear an attack from Iran and by terrorists based in Lebanon could spark a full-blown war and scupper chances of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to end the conflict in Gaza.

In a joint statement, the leaders said: “We expressed our support for the defence of Israel against Iranian aggression and against attacks by Iran-backed terrorist groups.”

“We called on Iran to stand down its ongoing threats of a military attack and discussed the serious consequences for regional security should such an attack take place.”

Regarding Gaza, they added: “We endorsed the joint call from (US) President Biden, President Sisi of Egypt, and Amir Tamim of Qatar to renew talks later this week, and stressed there is no further time to lose.”

The leaders of Qatar, Egypt and the US have been trying to broker a peace deal between terror group Hamas and Israel to end the fighting in Gaza.

Sir Keir spoke also last night to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

A Downing Street spokesman said: ‘The Prime Minister called on all parties to de-escalate.

“There was a serious risk of miscalculation and now was the time for calm and careful consideration. He called on Iran to refrain from attacking Israel, adding that war was not in anyone’s interests.”

Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant told US defence secretary Lloyd Austin during a phone call on Sunday that Tehran was plotting a “large scale” military attack.

White House spokesman John Kirby last night confirmed that the US agreed with the assessment.

“We share the same concerns and expectations that our Israeli counterparts have with respect to potential timing here. Could be this week,” he said.

“We have to be prepared for what could be a significant set of attacks.”

He confirmed that the US Defence Department has ordered the guided missile submarine Georgia to the Middle East. The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier group, equipped with F-35 fighters, has also been told to sail quickly to the area.

In April, Israel’s allies, including the UK, helped to intercept a barrage of drones and ballistic missiles Iran fired at Israel in a failed attack.

Tensions have been stoked by the assassination by Israel of Ismail Haniyeh – Hamas’s political leader – as well as Fuad Shukr, a senior commander in Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah, in an airstrike on Beirut last month.

Hezbollah fighters, based in Lebanon have been firing rockets over the border. The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza conflict is thought to be approaching 40,000.

It was sparked by Hamas terrorists bursting into Israel from Gaza on October 7 last year and murdering 1,200.