Blinken says US communicated to Iran, Israel that 'no one should escalate' conflict

By Rabia Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday that "no one should escalate" the conflict in the Middle East and Washington has communicated that message directly to Iran and Israel.

"No one should escalate this conflict. We've been engaged in intense diplomacy with allies and partners, communicating that message directly to Iran. We (also) communicated that message directly to Israel," Blinken said during a joint news conference with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles in Annapolis, Maryland.

Blinken also reiterated the US's "ironclad" commitment to Israel's security, adding that it will continue to defend Israel and its troops against attacks.

"But everyone in the region should understand that further attacks only perpetuate conflict," he said, adding that this could lead to "dangerous outcomes that no one can predict and no one can fully control."

The top US diplomat urged everyone to make decisions to calm tensions, given the "decisive moment that we're at in the cease-fire negotiations in Gaza.”

Recalling phone calls between US President Joe Biden and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad al Thani and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sissi, Blinken said the negotiations "have now reached the final stage.”