WASHINGTON: The US is concerned about the risk of escalation in the Middle East and urged countries, including Türkiye, China and other regional states to persuade Iran not to escalate, said the State Department on Thursday.
Spokesman Matthew Miller told media that the US has been working to mitigate and contain escalation since the attacks of October 7, particularly about the threats Iran made in recent days against Israel.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has engaged in diplomatic efforts in the last 24 hours through a series of telephone calls with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and others, said Miller.
During the calls Blinken made it clear that escalation is not in anyone’s interest and that countries should convince Iran not to escalate.
He added that the US has engaged with European partners over the past few days and asked them as well to send a clear message to Iran that escalation is not in Tehran’s interest. Miller said tension is not in regions’ interest and even not in the world’s interest.
Israel is on high alert
Israel is on high alert after fears of a possible Iranian attack on Israeli targets after threats by Iran to retaliate for an alleged Israeli attack on the Iranian Consulate in Damascus on April 1.
At least seven members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including two generals, were killed in the attack on Iran’s diplomatic mission in Syrian capital Damascus.
Blinken also held a call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Wednesday and said Washington will stand with Tel Aviv against any threats by Iran and its proxies.
US President Joe Biden has warned that US’s commitment to Israel’s security against threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad after Iran Tehran vowed to avenge the airstrike on its consulate.
“We’re going to do all we can to protect Israel’s security,” Biden said during a news conference Wednesday with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
