**Top U.S. General Begins Surprise Middle East Tour Amid Escalation Concerns**
*General C.Q. Brown Visits Jordan, Egypt, and Israel to Assess Military Perspectives*
General C.Q. Brown, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, has commenced an unannounced visit to the Middle East on Saturday, aiming to mitigate the risk of further escalation and widening conflict in the region amid threats of an Iranian attack on Israel.
General Brown began his trip in Jordan and plans to travel to Egypt and Israel in the coming days to gather perspectives from military leaders.
This visit follows recent tensions, including Israel’s assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31, with Iran vowing retaliation. The day before the Tehran operation, Israel also killed prominent Hezbollah leader Fouad Shukr in southern Lebanon, prompting Hezbollah to promise a response.
New Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed to his French and British counterparts in phone talks on Friday that Iran reserves the right to retaliate against Israel for Haniyeh’s killing. Araghchi stated, “We will punish those who violate our sovereignty… retaliating against the aggressor is Iran’s right.”
Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for Haniyeh’s death in Tehran.
In Gaza-related negotiations, a Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya is scheduled to arrive in Cairo on Saturday evening, following an invitation from Egyptian and Qatari mediators, to review the outcomes of talks held in Cairo on Thursday.
Hamas has reiterated its commitment to the agreements reached on July 2, which are based on U.S. President Joe Biden’s declaration and a United Nations Security Council resolution, and is ready to implement the terms. The movement has called for pressure on Israel to comply with these terms and end delays in reaching an agreement.
A new round of negotiations among the parties is set to take place on Sunday.
By/radwa sherif ✏️✏️📚