Eyebrows raised in Iran as US aircraft carrier leaves Middle East – analysis

Author: Rhonda Published: January 1, 2024

The story about the US carrier leaving the region was covered in Al-Mayadeen media, which is pro-Iran, showing that pro-Iran figures in the region are watching.

By SETH J. FRANTZMAN

JANUARY 1, 2024 13:58

Updated: JANUARY 1, 2024 14:04

THE WORLD’S LARGEST aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford steams alongside USNS Laramie (T-AO-203) during a fueling-at-sea in the eastern Mediterranean Sea (photo credit: US Naval Forces Central Command/US 6th Fleet/Reuters) — THE WORLD’S LARGEST aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford steams alongside USNS Laramie (T-AO-203) during a fueling-at-sea in the eastern Mediterranean Sea

(photo credit: US Naval Forces Central Command/US 6th Fleet/Reuters)

Iranian-backed groups have not reduced their attacks in the Middle East. On the opposite, pro-Iranian media sought to highlight how the attacks are increasing. Al-Mayadeen media, which is pro-Iran, claimed that there were attacks targeting Al-Asad based in Iraq and Shaddadi in Syria, two places where US forces are located. The US is in Syria and Iraq to help defeat ISIS.

Reports on December 31 that the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier is heading out of the Mediterranean is also raising eyebrows in Iran and the region. While Gaza fighting appears to be reduced slightly, Iran continues to want to manage the conflict against Israel. Towards that end, Iranian Tasnim ran a long interview about the role of Qasem Soleimani in the region. Although the interview is ostensibly about Soleimani, who was killed in January 2020 by the US, the report examines recent details about the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen targeting ships and Palestinian terror groups targeting Israel.

Aircraft carriers operating in the region

The article details questions about US aircraft carriers in the region. There were two carriers in the region, the Eisenhower and Ford.

Components of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKECSG), guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) and French Navy frigate FS Languedoc (D 653) transit the Strait of Hormuz November 25, 2023. (credit: VIA REUTERS)

The US had sent the second carrier after the October 7 attack to deter Hezbollah and others from escalating attacks.

The Iranian regime’s view is that these naval assets have not been able to prevent the Houthis in Yemen from continuing attacks on ships. However, a US helicopter destroyed three small Houthi boats over the weekend, indicating that the Houthis are taking losses. The story about the US carrier leaving the region was covered in Al-Mayadeen media, which is pro-Iran, showing that pro-Iran figures in the region are watching this development closely.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry has stressed that the recent killing of IRGC officer Razi Mousavi in Syria is not a setback for Iran. The opposite appears to be true since Iran’s regime has had a huge outpouring of funeral events for the late IRGC officer who was killed in an airstrike. Iran has blamed Israel. Iran’s foreign ministry is spinning this as being an incident that won’t stop Iran’s projects in the region. The Iranian foreign ministry also stressed that Iran-Egypt ties are improving. This could have negative implications because Iran backs Hamas in Gaza, which borders Egypt.

Israel eyes UK’s Tony Blair as mediator for Gaza, Palestinian refugees – report

Author: Rhonda Published: January 1, 2024

Blair was reportedly in Israel last week for undisclosed meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and war cabinet Minister Benny Gantz.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

DECEMBER 31, 2023 21:44

Tony Blair is pictured alongside a map of Israel and the West Bank, May 14, 2009 (photo credit: REUTERS/JASON REED) — Tony Blair is pictured alongside a map of Israel and the West Bank, May 14, 2009

(photo credit: REUTERS/JASON REED)

Former UK prime minister Tony Blair was positioned to take a mediator position in post-war Gaza which will include “examining” the acceptance of Palestinian refugees by Western nations, N12 reported on Sunday evening.

Blair was reportedly in Israel last week for undisclosed meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and war cabinet Minister Benny Gantz.

In the meeting, the idea of the former British prime minister serving as a mediator was floated, with his work revolving around the issue of displaced Palestinians, serving as a liaison communicating Israel’s security needs to the Western world.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir published a statement on Sunday, welcoming the reports of Bliar “heading a task force that will promote the emigration of Gaza residents to other countries around the world.

“This is a morally just step to take, first and foremost for Gaza border residents, and for all of Israel,” the minister said, adding that such initiatives are a “necessary component of the real solution to the ‘day after,’ which Otzma Yehudit has been leading.”

NATIONAL SECURITY MINISTER Itamar Ben-Gvir addresses his Otzma Yehudit faction in the Knesset earlier this month. (credit: OREN BEN HAKOON/FLASH90)

Tony Blair denies discussions on Palestinian ‘displacement’

Blair denied N12’s report, writing in a response that “claims made over Blair’s connection to displacement [of Palestinians] are incorrect.

“There never was such a discussion, and Blair would not discuss such a proposal,” a source close to the former PM said.

Mossad chief approved to proceed with Qatari hostage release proposal

Author: Rhonda Published: December 31, 2023

The proposal would include the release of 40-50 hostages in exchange for a ceasefire lasting a few weeks.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

DECEMBER 31, 2023 06:20

Updated: DECEMBER 31, 2023 06:43

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant seen with Mossad director David Barnea as part of the war cabinet on November 19, 2023 (photo credit: PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE) — Defense Minister Yoav Gallant seen with Mossad director David Barnea as part of the war cabinet on November 19, 2023

(photo credit: PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE)

The war cabinet gave approval to Mossad chief David Barnea to proceed with the Qatari proposal to secure the release of the hostages in Gaza, Kan 11 reported on Saturday.

The Jerusalem Post reported earlier this week that the proposal would include the release of 40-50 hostages in exchange for a ceasefire lasting a few weeks.

Both Israel and Hamas had previously not come to an agreement about the proposal, but Hamas reportedly stated that it “agrees in principle” to return to such negotiations.

Kan noted that the move signified a shift in Hamas’s previous position, as the organization used to take the stance that without a permanent ceasefire, no hostages would be released.

People hold signs and a tshirt calling for the release of hostages during the hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Tel Aviv, Israel, November 28, 2023. (credit: ATHIT PERAWONGMETHA / REUTERS)

“We have moved from the freezer to the coldest shelf in the refrigerator,” an Israeli source told Kan, providing an analogy to depict the complex nature of negotiating with Hamas.

Further plans for the future

The war cabinet will meet on Sunday to further discuss the hostage deal, according to Kan.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir will also discuss the issue of how Gaza will be run after the war.

Despite the complexity of this war, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains committed to gaining victory over Hamas.

In last week’s war cabinet meeting, he stated that although it may take time to win, “We are united and determined to fight until the end.”