US does not want wider war with Iran, seeks de-escalation in Middle East crisis, White House says
- The US is ‘staying vigilant’ to any Iranian threats to American troops, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby says
- Talks between Hamas and Israel on a truce in Gaza and a hostage release deal are still on, according to Kirby
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“We don’t want to see this escalate,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on NBC’s “Meet the Press”. “We’re not looking for a wider war with Iran.”
Israel was on high alert Sunday after Iran’s unprecedented attack sparked fears of a broader conflict.
Iran launched its first-ever direct assault on Israeli territory late Saturday in retaliation for a deadly strike by Israeli forces on Tehran’s consulate in Damascus on April 1.
It marked a major escalation of the long-running covert war between the regional foes.
Iran launches retaliatory attack on Israel with hundreds of drones, missiles
Kirby added in the interview that the United States is “staying vigilant” to any Iranian threats to American troops.
“We made it very clear to all parties, including Iran, what we would do … and also how seriously we would take any potential threats to our personnel,” Kirby said.
Speaking later on CBS, Kirby elaborated: “We’re going to take whatever steps we need to take to protect our troops, our ships, our facilities in the region going forward.”
Iran’s attack on Israel ‘brings joy’ to Gaza Palestinians, others cast doubt
Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles towards Israel late Saturday, injuring 12 people, the Israeli army said.
But almost all were intercepted before they reached Israeli territory, the army said, with help from the US, Jordan, Britain and other allies.
“We’re not considering diplomacy dead there,” he said.
Kirby said CIA director Bill Burns negotiated a new deal in Cairo about a week ago that would “get dozens of the most at-risk women, elderly, the wounded out, get us a six- week ceasefire.”
“The Hamas leaders need to take that deal. And we’re not considering this dead at this point.”
