Macron calls for de-escalation in talk with Netanyahu

Iran's official news agency says the country's air defense systems on its eastern borders have been upgraded with new radars and missile interceptors.

The report, published Wednesday by the state-run IRNA, comes amid heightened tensions in the region, following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

The White House press secretary refused to comment on Iran's potential retaliatory attack against Israel, making it clear instead that US policy was to push for de-escalation.

"It's up for Iran to say what it will or will not do," Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Wednesday. "They've been very public about what their next steps are going to be in responding (to Haniyeh's killing)."

"What we're going to do is to continue to have conversations with Mideast partners and leaders and urge de-escalation. Our focus is on de-escalating Mideast tensions," she added.

The Biden administration has warned actors in the Middle East to refrain from escalatory moves.

"The message that we are impressing upon everyone in the region is that no party should take any steps to escalate this conflict," the US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Wednesday.

"We are in the final stages, hopefully of a ceasefire deal, and escalation has the potential to make every problem the region faces worse," Miller said, calling the current situation "delicate", where "tensions are high".

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has blamed Israel for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, calling the action "a serious infringement" of Iran's sovereignty.

"OIC holds Israel, the illegal occupying power, fully responsible for this heinous attack,” reads the statement issued at the end of an extraordinary meeting of the 57-member bloc in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The UK has issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) advising UK-registered air operators to avoid entering the Beirut Flight Information Region from 16:40 (UTC) August 7, 2024, to November 4, 2024, due to potential risks from military activity in the region.

The NOTAM comes amid escalating fears of a conflict between Israel and Iran, which could involve Lebanon, particularly through the involvement of Iran-backed Hezbollah.

The Beirut Flight Information Region (FIR) encompasses the airspace over Lebanon and extends over the easter Mediterranean.