US mulls response to potential Iranian retaliation in Israel

4.8 magnitude earthquake on East Coast unexpectedly stirs climate debate.

US mulls response to potential Iranian retaliation in Israel.

NATIONAL NEWS

4.8 magnitude earthquake on East Coast unexpectedly stirs climate debate

This morning, residents in New York and New Jersey were jolted by a 4.8 magnitude earthquake and several smaller aftershocks. The quake struck just after 10:20AM local time and its epicenter was in Readington Township, NJ, about 40 miles west of New York City.

Unlike the West Coast, which routinely experiences quakes of this intensity or greater, the East Coast is not accustomed to such temblors. In fact, this may be the most powerful quake in the region in the last century. Understandably, this prompted reactions online ranging from fear to bemusement to amusement (the last mostly from West Coast residents).

On Twitter, New Jersey Green Party Senate candidate Christina Amira Khalil posted, “I experienced my first earthquake in NJ. We never get earthquakes. The climate crisis is real”. This prompted some ridicule from commenters. “Can you show us on the doll where the climate crisis touched you?” wrote one. “Is the climate crisis in the room right now?” wrote another. A third responded, “I experienced my first Deviled Egg here in Nashville. The climate crisis is real.”

Earthquake patterns are notoriously difficult to predict. It is true that there’s not a well-established correlation between climate (or even weather) and the magnitude or frequency of earthquakes. However, there apparently is some emerging science on a possible connection between environmental and climatic changes and earthquakes.

Ms. Khalil fired back at her critics by posting a link to an article the website of Verisk, a risk assessment company. The author cites studies proposing that drought conditions or reduced precipitation may encourage previously quiet fault lines to be more active. Another study suggests that strong earthquakes are associated with a phenomenon called isostatic rebound. This refers to instances when parts of the earth’s crust thrust upward after being relieved of the weight of receding glaciers at the end of the last ice age.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

This week, Israeli F-35 jets destroyed an Iranian consular building in Damascus, Syria, according to Syrian authorities. The strike, which killed several high-ranking Iranian military officials, was a blatant violation of the Vienna Convention and may also be the catalyst for a serious escalation in the Middle East. Iran has vowed to retaliate for the strike, and the US and Israel are expecting a strike by Iran within Israel itself.

US officials have been in contact with Iranian officials through the Swiss embassy which represents US interests in Iran. Mohammad Jamshidi, an aide to Iranian President Raisi, wrote on Twitter, “In a written message, the Islamic Republic of Iran warns US leadership not to get dragged in Netanyahu’s trap for US: Stay away so you won’t get hurt. In response US asked Iran not to target American facilities”.

A US official characterized the alleged request that Iran not attack US targets as “Iranian spin”. However, the US did reiterate to Tehran that it had no advance notice of Israel’s intentions to attack the consulate.

CBS reports that the US has intelligence suggesting a retaliation, using both drones and cruise missiles, will likely take place before the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which would be April 9, next Tuesday. It’s not clear what the targets will be or where, but civilian targets are unlikely. Targets could include military or intelligence site, or possibly a diplomatic facility.

There’s also the possibility of attacks by Iranian proxy groups resuming on US military facilities. There have been no such attacks since three US service members were killed in January, prompting US retaliation.

The most important questions looming are: Will the US will respond militarily to defend Israel? Will the US join in if this leads to an all-out war with Iran. US officials have been tight-lipped on these questions.

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