Blinken says US cannot support major military operation in Rafah

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday reiterated US position on Israel's planned military offensive in Rafah, saying they cannot support "a major operation" in the southern Gaza city.

"We have been very clear about this, President Biden has been very clear about this. We cannot support a major military operation in Rafah," Blinken told during a press conference following G7 meeting in Italy.

He said major military offensive would have "terrible consequences" for the displaced population in Rafah.

Israel says it would invade Rafah, where 1.4 million people have taken refuge from the war that started after the Oct. 7 cross-border incursion by Hamas, despite international outcry.

Asked about Israel's alleged strike on Iran, Blinken said: "I'm not gonna speak to that except to say that the United States has not been involved in any offensive operations."

Israel is said to have launched early Friday an attack on a site in Iran, but officials have yet to confirm. Tehran said there was no damage and it shot down three drones over Isfahan.

Tensions escalated after Iran’s retaliatory strike on Israel after an attack against its diplomatic premises in Syria.​​​​​​​