Blinken warns Iran against attacks on US personnel, pledges swift response

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Iran against any attack on American personnel Tuesday during a UN Security Council session on Gaza, asserting that Washington would respond "decisively."

Blinken accused Tehran of supporting Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis -- groups he said continue to carry out attacks on Israel.

He also noted Iranian leaders' threats to wipe Israel off the map.

Addressing recent attacks on US bases in Iraq and Syria, attributed to Iran-backed groups, Blinken clarified that the US forces' mission is to prevent the Daesh/ISIS terror group from resurging.

"The United States does not seek conflict with Iran, we do not want this war to widen but if Iran or its proxies attack US personnel anywhere, make no mistake, we will defend our people, we will defend our security swiftly and decisively," Blinken told the Council.

He urged member states to prevent the conflict in Gaza from spreading.

"Tell Iran, tell its proxies in public, in private, through every means: Do not open another front against Israel in this conflict. Do not attack Israel's partners," he said..

He warned more civilians would be at risk if Iran or its proxies widened the conflict.

US bases in the Middle East have faced rocket or drone attacks in recent weeks since the onset of the Gaza conflict earlier this month.

The White House said Monday that Iran is "actively facilitating" a series of recent attacks on US bases in the Middle East.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby reported an "uptick" in rocket and drone attacks in the last week against military bases housing US personnel in Iraq and Syria.