Blinken warns Iran and Israel not to 'escalate' conflict

(Patria) - Iran and Israel should avoid escalating the conflict, said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, AFP reported.

"No one should escalate this conflict. We are engaged in intensive diplomacy with
allies and partners, conveying that message directly to Iran. We have conveyed that message directly to Israel," Blinken told reporters.

Iran has promised a response after Israel was suspected of killing Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

"Our commitment to Israel's security is firm. We will continue to defend Israel from attacks by terrorist groups or their sponsors, just as we will continue to defend our troops," Blinken said.

"But everyone in the region should understand that further attacks only prolong the conflict, instability, insecurity for everyone," he added.

Blinken, speaking after talks with Australian foreign and defense ministers at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, said the United States is working intensively to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East and prevent the spread of the conflict.

Blinken spoke by phone earlier in the day with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. Jordan, in a delicate position with its large Palestinian population and peace treaty with Israel, played a key role in April in helping the United States shoot down Iranian missiles and drones, ensuring minimal damage in Israel.

Safadi traveled to Tehran on Sunday to discuss the situation. Blinken declined to directly answer whether Jordan would again support action against an Iranian attack, saying only that US partners want a cessation of hostilities.

Hamas on Tuesday named Yahya Sinwar, the alleged architect of the October 7 attack on Israel, as its new political chief to succeed Haniyeh. Blinken downplayed the impact of his appointment, saying Sinwar has always been the "primary decision-maker".

"This just underscores the fact that it is really up to him to decide whether to move forward with
a ceasefire that would obviously help so many Palestinians in desperate need," Blinken said.