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Austin Urges Tehran to Avoid Escalation After Israeli Strike
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The U.S. position supporting Israel while calling for de-escalation reflects Washington's attempt to balance supporting its ally while avoiding a comprehensive regional war
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin advised Tehran, Saturday evening, to avoid responding to Israeli raids that targeted military facilities in Iran, emphasizing during a conversation with his Israeli counterpart the necessity of reducing tension in the region.
Austin stated: "Iran should not make the mistake of responding to Israeli strikes, which should represent the end of this exchange," adding that conditions are favorable "to use diplomacy to reduce tension in the region."
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reviewed with his American counterpart the results of the strike on Iran, discussing the assessment of the attacks' success on missile factories, air defense systems, and Iranian military capabilities.
While Iranian armed forces announced four military personnel were killed in the Israeli attack that caused "limited losses," they renewed their assertion of "their right and duty to defend themselves."
The Israeli occupation army revealed Saturday morning the execution of "precise and directed" strikes against missile manufacturing centers and air capabilities in Iran, in response to the Iranian attack early this month, threatening Tehran with a "heavy price" if it decides to respond.
While Washington considered the Israeli raids "self-defense," several Arab and Islamic countries denounced them, including Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Turkey, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, warning of escalation consequences.
Iran carried out its first missile and drone attack on Israel in retaliation for targeting its consulate in Damascus, while the second attack came in response to the assassination of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and a Revolutionary Guard commander in Beirut, and the assassination of Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
Despite rising fears, signs of normal life continued in both capitals, Tehran and Tel Aviv.
Levant-Agencies
