Amidst rising tensions in the Middle East, the United States, represented by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, has expressed a strong stance against further escalation with Iran.
This declaration comes in the wake of a significant attack on Israel by Iran, which saw over 300 drones and missiles launched in retaliation for an April 1st strike on an Iranian consulate in Syria, an act Tehran attributes to Israel.
Secretary Blinken, addressing the situation at a meeting with Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister Mohammed Ali Tamim, emphasized the U.S.’s commitment to Israel’s defense and the protection of American personnel in the region.
He stated, “We don’t seek escalation, but we’ll continue to support the defense of Israel and to protect our personnel in the region.”
The weekend’s events highlighted the collective defense efforts in the region, with Blinken noting, “What this weekend demonstrated is that Israel did not have to and does not have to defend itself alone when it is the victim of an aggression, the victim of an attack,” while labeling Iran’s actions as “unprecedented”.
In response to the attacks, the U.S. played a pivotal role in intercepting the projectiles, alongside Jordan and other allies, preventing them from reaching Israeli soil.
The Secretary of State has been actively engaged in diplomatic discussions with global leaders from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey, Britain, and Germany to forge a unified response aimed at de-escalating the situation.
The Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister expressed concerns over the potential for these hostilities to escalate into a broader conflict, endangering international security. He urged all involved parties to exercise restraint.
These discussions precede a scheduled meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani, signaling the high priority of regional stability for the U.S. administration.
