'Make No Mistake...': Blinken Warns Iran Against Attack On US Personnel Amid Israel-Gaza War
Speaking at the UNSC, US warned that Washington would act swiftly and decisively if Iran or its proxies attacked U.S. personnel anywhere.
Amid the war between Israel and Hamas, the United States on Tuesday warned that Washington would act swiftly and decisively if Iran or its proxies attacked U.S. personnel anywhere. Speaking to the 15-member U.N. Security Council, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the US does not seek conflict with Iran.
"The United States does not seek conflict with Iran. We do not want this war to widen. But if Iran or its proxies attack U.S. personnel anywhere, make no mistake: We will defend our people, we will defend our security - swiftly and decisively," Blinken said, as quoted by the news agency Reuters.
During his speech, Blinken also called on all states to send a message to any state or non-state actor that might be considering opening another front in the conflict against Israel or seeking to target Israel's partners
"Don't throw fuel on the fire," he said.
The latest conflict began after Hamas launched a surprise attack against Israel on October 7, claiming the lives of more than 1,400 people. Israel has launched a massive counter-offensive against the Islamic militant group that has ruled Gaza since 2007.
Later on Tuesday, Iran's U.N. Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani reacted to Blinken’s comments and told the Security Council that he had attempted to wrongly blame Iran for the Israel-Hamas conflict and that Tehran categorically rejected his "groundless allegations." He said, "Our commitment to regional peace and stability remains unwavering".
"The U.S. has further exacerbated the conflict by overtly aligning itself with the aggressor at the expense of the innocent Palestinian population," Iravani said, as quoted by Reuters.
US Mobilises Fleet Of F-16s To Protect Troops
The U.S. military is taking new steps to protect its troops in the Middle East amid rising concerns about attacks by Iran-backed Palestinian Hamas groups, officials told Reuters. The U.S. has also sent warships and fighter aircraft to the region in a bid to deter Iran and Iran-backed groups.
In a statement, the US Department of Defense, ”a squadron of F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft has arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.”
“The aircraft will work alongside an array of capabilities the Defense Department has sent to the region in recent days to further enhance the ability of U.S. forces to defend themselves,” the statement further read. "We know that the groups conducting these attacks are supported by the [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] and the Iranian regime," Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said during a briefing.
"What we are seeing is the prospect for more significant escalation against U.S. forces and personnel across the region, in the very near term, coming from Iranian proxy forces and ultimately from Iran."
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