{"id":4547,"date":"2024-04-19T15:02:38","date_gmt":"2024-04-19T15:02:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/internationalpulse.net\/?p=4547"},"modified":"2024-04-19T15:02:38","modified_gmt":"2024-04-19T15:02:38","slug":"us-not-involved-in-israeli-strikes-on-iran-says-blinken","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/internationalpulse.net\/?p=4547","title":{"rendered":"US not involved in Israeli strikes on Iran, says Blinken"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\nWhite House \u2014\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday the United States was not involved in Israel\u2019s predawn aerial strike inside Iran and declined to confirm reports that Washington was notified of Israeli plans shortly before the attack. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe reports that you’ve seen, I’m not going to speak to that except to say that the United States has not been involved in any offensive operations,\u201d he said during a press conference following a meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers in Capri, Italy. <\/p>\n

The G7 is focused on avoiding a wider war in the region, he said. <\/p>\n

\u201cYou saw Israel on the receiving end of an unprecedented attack, but our focus has been on, of course, making sure that Israel can effectively defend itself, but also de-escalating tensions, avoiding conflict,\u201d Blinken said. <\/p>\n

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who chaired the G7 meeting, said the U.S. had told its G7 partners it received \u201clast minute\u201d information from Israel about its actions. <\/p>\n

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\nItalian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaks to reporters during the final press conference at the G7 Foreign Ministers meeting on Capri Island, Italy, April 19, 2024.<\/span>
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In the G7 communique, Blinken and other foreign ministers announced plans for new sanctions against Iran for its strikes against Israel and urged de-escalation. Tehran appears to be heeding for now. <\/p>\n

Israel\u2019s strikes appear to be in retaliation for the hundreds of Iranian drones and missiles launched at Israel on April 13. Most were intercepted with the help of the United States and regional allies, including Jordan and Saudi Arabia, causing no loss of life and only little damage. That suggests Iran may have calibrated the strikes to limit casualties or telegraphed advanced notice, which the White House denies. <\/p>\n

The early Friday attacks on Iran appear to be limited, with no casualties reported immediately. <\/p>\n

U.S. President Joe Biden has been urging Israel to exercise restraint and avoid escalation following Iran\u2019s attacks. His administration has been coordinating with allies and partners, including the G7 on a \u201ccomprehensive response.\u201d <\/p>\n

These could include new sanctions on Tehran and bolstered air and missile defense and early warning systems across the Middle East, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement earlier this week. <\/p>\n

Iranian state media reported in the early hours of Friday local time that three explosions were heard in the Iranian city of Isfahan. Explosions were reported around the same time in Iraq and Syria. <\/p>\n

Tehran said its April 13 attacks were in response to an Israeli airstrike on Iran\u2019s consulate in Damascus, Syria, on April 1. The bombing killed Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi and other Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders. Israel neither confirms nor denies responsibility for the attack. <\/p>\n

Analysts say Israel\u2019s limited counterattack and Iran\u2019s muted response show that both sides are willing to avoid further escalation, at least for now. Still, the risks of escalation are higher than ever before, said Brian Katulis, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute. <\/p>\n

“The Iran-Israel shadow conflict has turned into a low-grade open war between the two countries,\u201d he told VOA. \u201cThe Middle East is in unchartered territory.” <\/p>\n

Israeli strikes expected<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Despite U.S. pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, some type of retaliatory strike by Israel was expected, said Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a Middle East analyst from Gaza and non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. <\/p>\n

The Biden administration understands that Israel needs to do its own version of \u201cface saving\u201d retaliation after Iran’s unprecedented and dramatic attacks last Saturday, he told VOA. <\/p>\n

The party that could benefit most from any potential escalation is Hamas, said Alkhatib. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe group has felt emboldened by Iran’s direct strikes on Israel, hardening its negotiating position in the latest cease-fire and hostage exchange talks facilitated by Qatar,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

Biden so far has been unsuccessful in pushing for a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas. Over the weekend the U.S.-designated terror group raised new demands that have thrown talks into disarray. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s unclear how the Israeli counterstrike on Iran could impact negotiation dynamics with Hamas. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a moment of instability but also of opportunity,\u201d said Laura Blumenfeld, a senior fellow at the Philip Merrill Center for Strategic Studies at Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies. <\/p>\n

\u201cWorld leaders agree that the key to de-escalation is to free the hostages,\u201d she told VOA. The message to Hamas hostage negotiators, she added, is \u201cquit while you’re behind.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div>\n


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