Yesterday, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken made a public call for Iran and Israel to avoid any escalation that could lead to a wider armed conflict in the Middle East.
“There should be no escalation by anyone that would lead to armed conflict. We are conducting intensive diplomatic efforts, together with our allies and partners,” Blinken emphasized. “We have sent this message directly to Iran and Israel,” he stated during a joint press conference with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and their Australian counterparts, Penny Wong and Richard Marles.
Reaffirming US support for Israel, Blinken declared, “Our commitment to Israel’s security is unwavering.” He appeared to refer to Iran and the “axis of resistance,” a coalition of organizations allied with Tehran, including Lebanese Hezbollah.
In a show of support, the US Pentagon announced on Friday the deployment of additional warships and fighter jets to the region, including F-22 aircraft, to bolster the defense of Israel and US troops stationed there.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also underscored that the US “will not tolerate” attacks against its forces in the Middle East, following a rocket attack on an airbase in Iraq that injured seven Americans.
Source: ANA-MPA / Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
