Senior US officials heading to Middle East in wake of Israeli attack against Iran

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - Several senior Biden administration officials will visit the Middle East this week to discuss a range of issues with regional counterparts, a senior US official said Wednesday.

The visits come after Israel carried out its avowed attack against Iran on Friday, with Tehran pledging to retaliate in the latest round of an escalatory back-and-forth between the regional enemies.

CIA Director Bill Burns will pay a visit to Cairo on Thursday "to engage with Egyptian counterparts on bilateral matters as well as the process to secure the release of hostages," said the official, who made the statement on condition of anonymity.

That same day, White House officials Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk will visit Israel "to engage on a range of issues including Gaza, Lebanon, Hostages, Iran and broader regional matters," the official added.

CENTCOM Cmdr. Gen. Erik Kurilla is currently traveling "to the region to discuss regional defense and will visit Israel to engage with counterparts and US personnel."

During the discussions, the US "will reaffirm its iron-clad commitment to Israel’s security, its warning against any further direct military attacks by Iran against Israel, and its support for de-escalation backed by deterrence in the region more broadly," said the official.

The confirmation comes after Israeli media reported that “significant progress” has been made in talks to reach a cease-fire with Hezbollah in Lebanon

Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, citing unnamed Israeli officials, said cease-fire negotiations “have made a breakthrough and are in advanced stages.” It said Tuesday that Hochstein may travel to Israel and Lebanon before the Nov. 5 US elections to try to reach a final agreement.

There was no mention of any travel to Lebanon from the US official.

Israel has mounted a massive air campaign in Lebanon since September against what it claims are Hezbollah targets, an escalation following a year of cross-border warfare between Israel and the Lebanese group.

More than 2,700 people have been killed and nearly 12,500 injured in Israeli attacks since October 2023, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Israel expanded the conflict by launching an invasion of southern Lebanon on Oct. 1.