U.S. President Joe Biden met with his senior national security team amid rising tensions over a possible Iranian attack on Israel. During the briefing, he was informed of the readiness to support Israel in the event of an attack. This is reported by the BBC, according to UNN.
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U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that officials are "working around the clock" to prevent the conflict from escalating. Concerns grew after the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, for which Iran blamed Israel and promised "severe" retaliation. Israel has not claimed responsibility for the incident.
Several countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, have called on their citizens to leave Lebanon because of the possible role that Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militia, could play in the attack. According to Axios, during a briefing on Monday, Biden was told that the timing and nature of a possible Iranian attack remained unknown.
Blinken noted that escalation of the conflict is not in the interests of either side and will only lead to further violence. He also emphasized the importance of a ceasefire, which could create opportunities for lasting peace.
Biden also spoke with Jordan's King Abdullah II, where they discussed efforts to de-escalate tensions, including a ceasefire and hostage releases. In a joint statement, the G7 expressed deep concern about the growing tensions in the Middle East, emphasizing that further escalation threatens a broader conflict in the region.
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