The US is aiming to “turn the temperature down” in the Middle East, according to the country’s ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield. This comes after Iran dismissed calls from Western countries to refrain from retaliating against Israel for the assassination of Hamas’ leader last month.
Thomas-Greenfield addressed the UN Security Council in New York on Tuesday, stating that the US is focused on deterring and defending against any future attacks in order to avoid regional conflict. The US has been working to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, with President Joe Biden expressing hope that a deal would help deter Iran from launching attacks on Israel.
However, Hamas has reportedly stated that they will not participate in the upcoming ceasefire talks scheduled to take place in either Doha or Cairo on Thursday. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has postponed plans to travel to the Middle East to participate in negotiations on ending the war in Gaza.
Meanwhile, the US has approved a $20 billion arms sale to Israel, although the arms will take years to reach the country. Thomas-Greenfield emphasized the need for a ceasefire deal to be finalized in order to prevent a broader regional conflict.
However, Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, accused the Security Council of not doing enough to stop Israel’s military operation in Gaza. Israeli ambassador Gilad Erdan claimed that Hamas used civilians as human shields in Gaza.
The conflict in Gaza began in response to an attack on southern Israel in October, resulting in numerous casualties on both sides. Amid international efforts to de-escalate tensions, Iran has dismissed calls to refrain from retaliation against Israel, leading to heightened military readiness in the region.
The US has warned of potential attacks by Iran or its proxies and has increased its military presence in the Middle East to help defend Israel. The situation remains tense as efforts continue to reach a ceasefire and prevent further escalation in the region.
