(VOVWORLD) - The United States is urging countries through diplomatic channels to help ease escalation in the Middle East, at what Secretary of State Antony Blinken called a "critical moment" for the region.
 Protesters, mainly Houthi supporters, hold firearms next to a poster of assassinated Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, at the rally to show solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, in Sanaa, Yemen, August 2, 2024. (REUTERS) |
Blinken said Washington is working almost nonstop on diplomacy to help reduce tensions, as there are fears Iran might retaliate against Israel.
During a signing ceremony with his Australian counterpart in Washington, Blinken said all parties must refrain from escalation, adding that escalation will only lead to more conflict, more violence, more insecurity.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in the Iranian capital Tehran last week, an attack that drew threats of revenge on Israel and fueled further concern that the conflict in Gaza was turning into a wider Middle East war. Iran has blamed Israel and said it will "punish" it while Israeli officials have not claimed responsibility for the killing.