Director of Communications & Congressional Liaison
April 22, 2024
Israel-Iran Tensions
On Friday, April 19, Israel carried out a missile strike in Isfahan, “the cradle of Iran’s nuclear programme,” in response to Tehran’s April 13 missile and drone attack. While the U.S. attributed the strike to Israel, there has not been official Israeli confirmation.
After hearing explosions near the city of Isfahan, Iran activated air defense systems over several cities and shot down three small drones. Satellite imagery shows probable damage to part of an air-defense system at a nearby airfield.
Sources indicate that Israel had originally planned a more extensive retaliatory strike on Iran but had scaled back the operation after pressure from the United States and other allies.
On Tuesday, April 16, the heaviest rain ever recorded in the country hit the United Arab Emirates, with large volumes of rainfall also reaching Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Four people died from the natural disaster and corresponding flooding in the UAE, and twenty people, including ten schoolchildren, were killed from the rainfall in Oman.
Though this disaster quickly prompted questions regarding the potential impact of cloud seeding, a process that manipulates clouds to produce rain, experts have attributed the record rainfall to climate change.
An article in Middle East Policy by Andrea Ghiselli and Anoushiravan Ehteshami examines the role of the Persian Gulf in the growing U.S.-China rivalry.
Israeli Operations: Gaza and the West Bank
On Thursday, April 18, the Biden administration and Israeli government leaders held a virtual meeting about a possible Israeli operation in Rafah, Gaza, where over a million forcibly displaced Palestinians are seeking safety. Despite weeks of expressing humanitarian concerns, reporting indicates that the U.S. has now accepted Israel’s Rafah operation in exchange for Israeli restraint in carrying out a “large strike” in Iran.
On Saturday, April 20, Israel conducted overnight strikes on Rafah that killed 22 people, including 18 children. Israeli media cited preparation to expand a “humanitarian zone” ahead of a ground invasion.
In the West Bank, Israeli forces withdrew from the Nur Shams refugee camp on Saturday after a 50-hour raid “likened by Palestinians to the intensity of Second Intifada attacks.” Israeli troops killed 14 Palestinians and detained 15 during the operation.
Notably, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to announce sanctions against the Israel Defense Forces “Netzah Yehuda” battalion for human rights violations in the West Bank that occurred prior to October 7. This would “ban the battalion and its members from receiving any kind of U.S. military assistance or training.”
On Sunday, April 21, at least five rockets launched from Zummar, Iraq, targeted a U.S. military base in northeastern Syria. A telegram post indicated that the armed factions of Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group based in Iraq, had resumed attacks after a three-month pause in operations against U.S. forces.
While the group communicated its frustration regarding the “little progress on talks to end the U.S.-led military coalition in [Iraq],” the resumption of attacks also coincides with increasing Israel-Iran tensions during the Gaza War.
Director of Communications & Congressional Liaison
Partner with the Council
We appreciate any support towards the Middle East Policy Council to help educate Americans on the political, economic and cultural issues that affect U.S. interests in the Middle East.
The Middle East Policy Council's senior leadership and board of directors can offer unique insights into the complex issues facing U.S. policy making in the Middle East.
April 22, 2024
Israel-Iran Tensions
On Friday, April 19, Israel carried out a missile strike in Isfahan, “the cradle of Iran’s nuclear programme,” in response to Tehran’s April 13 missile and drone attack. While the U.S. attributed the strike to Israel, there has not been official Israeli confirmation.
After hearing explosions near the city of Isfahan, Iran activated air defense systems over several cities and shot down three small drones. Satellite imagery shows probable damage to part of an air-defense system at a nearby airfield.
Sources indicate that Israel had originally planned a more extensive retaliatory strike on Iran but had scaled back the operation after pressure from the United States and other allies.
Middle East Policy contributor Farshad Roomi analyzes Iran’s ideological approach to its conflict with Israel.
Record Rainfall in the Gulf
On Tuesday, April 16, the heaviest rain ever recorded in the country hit the United Arab Emirates, with large volumes of rainfall also reaching Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Four people died from the natural disaster and corresponding flooding in the UAE, and twenty people, including ten schoolchildren, were killed from the rainfall in Oman.
Though this disaster quickly prompted questions regarding the potential impact of cloud seeding, a process that manipulates clouds to produce rain, experts have attributed the record rainfall to climate change.
An article in Middle East Policy by Andrea Ghiselli and Anoushiravan Ehteshami examines the role of the Persian Gulf in the growing U.S.-China rivalry.
Israeli Operations: Gaza and the West Bank
On Thursday, April 18, the Biden administration and Israeli government leaders held a virtual meeting about a possible Israeli operation in Rafah, Gaza, where over a million forcibly displaced Palestinians are seeking safety. Despite weeks of expressing humanitarian concerns, reporting indicates that the U.S. has now accepted Israel’s Rafah operation in exchange for Israeli restraint in carrying out a “large strike” in Iran.
On Saturday, April 20, Israel conducted overnight strikes on Rafah that killed 22 people, including 18 children. Israeli media cited preparation to expand a “humanitarian zone” ahead of a ground invasion.
In the West Bank, Israeli forces withdrew from the Nur Shams refugee camp on Saturday after a 50-hour raid “likened by Palestinians to the intensity of Second Intifada attacks.” Israeli troops killed 14 Palestinians and detained 15 during the operation.
Notably, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to announce sanctions against the Israel Defense Forces “Netzah Yehuda” battalion for human rights violations in the West Bank that occurred prior to October 7. This would “ban the battalion and its members from receiving any kind of U.S. military assistance or training.”
Middle East Policy has published a special issue on the Gaza war, featuring interviews with key players and contributions that explore the sparks fueling the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
U.S. Base in Syria Targeted
On Sunday, April 21, at least five rockets launched from Zummar, Iraq, targeted a U.S. military base in northeastern Syria. A telegram post indicated that the armed factions of Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group based in Iraq, had resumed attacks after a three-month pause in operations against U.S. forces.
While the group communicated its frustration regarding the “little progress on talks to end the U.S.-led military coalition in [Iraq],” the resumption of attacks also coincides with increasing Israel-Iran tensions during the Gaza War.
An analysis by Christopher K. Colley in Middle East Policy shows that the United States has not reduced its military footprint in the region—indeed, that footprint may be increasing.
Also Check Out
Middle East Policy’s Spring 2024 issue is free to read until May 15, exploring the rise of China in the Middle East, its rivalry with the U.S., and bilateral ties across the region.
U.S. vetoes UN Resolution on full UN membership for Palestine.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs states Sudan war is “a crisis of epic proportions.”