Behind-the-scenes discussion of Middle East tensions: Israel warned the U.S. it had something to do with Haniyeh's murder
Kyiv • UNN
Israel has informed the US of its responsibility for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. The phone conversation between Biden and Netanyahu after the incident was tense, but the US is not yet ready to put significant pressure on Israel.
An Israeli official confirmed to the Washington Post that the phone conversation between Biden and Netanyahu after Khaniya's death was "tense"; according to the newspaper, Israel also contacted US officials about responsibility for Ismail Khaniya's murder, UNN reports .
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Israel has repeatedly struck Hezbollah and Iranian commanders without informing the United States in advance, drawing the ire of Biden's officials and the president himself. According to WP, although Tel Aviv refused to comment on Haniyeh's assassination, officials told the United States immediately after the incident that Israel was responsible.
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Meanwhile, according to several senior U.S. administration officials, as the conflict progressed, many U.S. officials began to view Netanyahu, not Iran, as the primary authority in containing the broader regional fire.
An Israeli official confirmed that the phone call between Biden and Netanyahu last week after Haniyeh's death was "tense." At the same time, Biden is probably not yet ready to put significant pressure on Israel to try to curb its actions. No significant restrictions on military aid to the country are currently being considered.
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The diplomatic blitz led by Blinken in recent days included American partners who have regular high-level relations with Tehran.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatti held a rare phone call with his Iranian counterpart on Saturday, calling for restraint. According to a former Egyptian official familiar with the situation, this came after the Biden administration asked President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi's government to contact Iran.
During a phone call with Blinken on Monday, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said he had told the Iranians that they would be "the biggest loser" if they decide to escalate the conflict, the Washington Post reports .
