US Secretary of State: "Rising Tensions with Iran Do Not Help the US and Israel"

US Media Axios Reports Citing Sources
"Response Should Be Smart and Strategic but as Limited as Possible"

As Israel is considering a retaliatory strike in response to Iran's reprisal attack, the U.S. Secretary of State has expressed that escalating tensions with Iran is not beneficial for either the United States or Israel.

Tony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State
Photo by Reuters

On the 16th (local time), U.S. media outlet Axios reported, citing three attendees, that Secretary of State Tony Blinken made these remarks during a meeting with American Jewish leaders.

According to these attendees, Secretary Blinken emphasized that the response to Iran is Israel's decision and did not mention that Israel should exercise restraint. However, he reportedly said, "(The response) should be smart, strategic, and as limited as possible," adding, "Strength and wisdom are two sides of the same coin."

He also stated, "We never tell Israel what to do," and the Biden administration only offers the best advice it can to Israel, the attendees said.

Secretary Blinken further noted the significance of Jordan and Saudi Arabia's participation in defensive operations during Iran's airstrikes on Israel on the 13th and 14th, saying this presents future opportunities. Jordan and Saudi Arabia have rapidly improved relations with Israel, but their ties cooled again after the Gaza Strip war broke out in October last year. In particular, Saudi Arabia had been advancing discussions on establishing diplomatic relations with Israel but suspended related talks following the outbreak of the war.

The attendees also reported that Secretary Blinken commented on the prospects for a ceasefire negotiation in the Gaza Strip. Regarding Hamas's rejection of the ceasefire mediation proposal, he said they might have refused because they believed Iran's attack would escalate into a regional war. He predicted that if Hamas judges that the current situation will not escalate, they will again face pressure to reach a ceasefire and hostage negotiation agreement.

Axios, citing sources, reported that on the 15th, Secretary Blinken had a phone call with Benny Gantz, leader of the National Unity Party and a member of Israel's wartime cabinet, conveying a message similar to that of the day regarding Israel's countermeasures.

On the 1st of this month, Israel bombed the Iranian consulate in Syria, killing senior officials of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. In retaliation, Iran launched over 300 missiles and drones on the 13th and 14th. Israel's wartime cabinet is considering a retaliatory strike, aiming to avoid full-scale war but to inflict severe pain.