White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to comment on the Biden administration’s response to escalating tensions in the Middle East during a press briefing. Israel had carried out limited strikes on Iran in retaliation for Tehran’s attack on Israel the previous Saturday. Explosions were reported in Iran’s Isfahan province, where one of Iran’s nuclear facilities is located. Jean-Pierre emphasized that the White House does not want to see the conflict escalate and is working to reduce the risk of further escalation in the region. The United States denied any involvement in the strike and had been urging Israel to exercise restraint.
When asked if the U.S. was informed by Israel ahead of the counter strike, Jean-Pierre declined to comment on diplomatic conversations. She also did not provide details on any leverage the U.S. may have in the Middle East. She highlighted the longstanding relationship between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu, noting that they can have honest and difficult conversations when necessary. The U.S. had been focused on de-escalating tensions and avoiding conflict in the region. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed that the priority was ensuring Israel’s ability to defend itself while working towards de-escalation.
Reports indicated that the strikes on Iran were limited, with Iranian state media downplaying the impact of the attacks. A senior Iranian official stated that there were no immediate plans for retaliation. Israel’s government remained relatively quiet both before and after the retaliatory strike on Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s commitment to defending itself and making decisions independently. Former Israel Defense Forces spokesman Jonathan Conricus suggested that Iran had understood the message conveyed by Israel’s strike. The situation remained tense in the region, with uncertainty about potential further actions.
The G-7 Foreign Ministers had issued a joint statement expressing the need to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East. The U.S. had been consulting with allies and partners in the region to reduce the risk of conflict escalation. Jean-Pierre reiterated the administration’s stance on avoiding escalation and expressed caution in commenting on reports about the events in the Middle East. President Biden was kept informed about the unrest in the region. The administration had urged Israel to exercise restraint in its response to Iranian attacks and emphasized the importance of diplomacy in resolving the situation.
Even as tensions simmered in the Middle East, Iranian President made no mention of the Israeli strikes and threats of complete destruction. The escalating conflict between Iran and Israel continued to be a cause for concern, with reports of strikes and counter-strikes circulating. The U.S. remained committed to de-escalation efforts and avoiding direct involvement in offensive operations. The situation remained fluid, with uncertainty about Iran’s response and Israel’s preparedness to defend itself. The longstanding relationship between the U.S. and Israel was highlighted as key to navigating difficult situations and making informed decisions to prevent further conflict in the region.
