President Joe Biden has sent a warning to Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. will not take part in a counter-offensive against Iran, an option Netanyahu’s war cabinet is seriously considering after a mass drone and missile attack on Israeli territory.
The threat of open warfare erupting between the arch Middle East foes and dragging in the United States put the region on edge, triggering calls for restraint from global powers and Arab nations to avoid further escalation.
“The Middle East is on the brink. The people of the region are confronting the real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict. Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate,” United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a Security Council meeting called on Sunday in response to the strikes.
Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Robert Wood called on the council to unequivocally condemn Iran’s attack, as he said Washington would explore additional, unspecified measures at the United Nations to hold Iran accountable and warned against further aggression.
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“Let me be clear: if Iran or its proxies take actions against the United States or further action against Israel, Iran will be held responsible,” he said.
As Washington stressed its desire to avoid escalation, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke to counterparts including in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan, stressing the need to avoid escalation, the importance of a coordinated diplomatic response, and emphasizing that the United States will continue to support Israel’s defense.
A week ago, Biden had asserted that he believes that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is making a “mistake” in his handling of Gaza and must be called out to rethink his steps.
“I think what he’s doing is a mistake. I don’t agree with his approach,” he said in an interview which was monitored by Africa Today News, New York on Wednesday morning.
He said Gaza should have “total access to all food and medicine” for the next six to eight weeks.