WASHINGTON: The United States declined to comment on reports of Israeli attacks in Iran overnight, with White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre refraining from answering any questions about the strikes.
“I know there’s a lot of interest in the Middle East reporting overnight and we understand that we understand that. I’m going to say it now, although I know you all will definitely ask me about it. We have no comment on the reports at this time,” Jean-Pierre said during a press briefing on Friday.
The White House press secretary further said that the United States is consulting with allies and partners, including in the region, to further reduce the risk of escalation in the Middle East.
Asked about the situation in the Middle East, Karine Jean-Pierre declared: “I will once again be very attentive, I understand the interest and I will disappoint a lot of people here this afternoon. I’m not going to speculate on the reporting. You’ve obviously heard the same thing. You have said what we have been saying since this morning; so I’m just going to say it. , very attentive, but since you also asked me about climbing, I will speak more generally.”
She said the Biden administration made it clear from the beginning that it did not want to see this conflict escalate. She referred to the joint statement of G7 foreign ministers issued after the meeting, which was attended by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
“We have been very clear from the outset that we do not want to see this conflict escalate. We continue to consult with our allies and partners, including in the region, to reduce any risk of escalation in the region. a sentiment this was expressed in the joint statement of G7 foreign ministers released this morning,” she added.
Earlier on Friday, Israel carried out airstrikes against Iran, ABC News reported, citing a US official. Al Jazeera cited Mehr news agency reporting that “noises were heard above the city” in Isfahan, adding that “several miniature drones were shot down.”
However, the official could not confirm whether Syrian and Iraqi sites were also hit. This report was published shortly after local sources reported explosions in the Isfahan region of central Iran.
Following this, Iran fired on air defense batteries and halted air operations in several cities, including Tehran, Shiraz and Isfahan, which were later lifted.
Meanwhile, according to Syrian media this morning, Syrian army positions in the governorates of As-Suwayda and Daraa, in southern Syria, were also the target of attacks.
The attacks targeted Syrian military radar sites between Qarda and Izraa in Daraa, southern Syria, according to local media outlet As-Suwayda24. Residents of Mosul and Erbil in Iraq reported also hearing the sound of fighter jets early Friday morning, the Jerusalem Post reported.
The latest development comes after Iran fired a barrage of more than 300 missiles and drones against Israel on April 13, which Tehran said was in retaliation for an alleged Israeli strike on its consulate in Syria on April 1, in during which 13 people were killed.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, during discussions on the situation in the Middle East at the UN Security Council on Thursday, warned Israel against any military action targeting Iranian interests.
He said Iran had ended its “defense and counter-offensive measures” and urged the international community to prevent Israel from carrying out military operations against Iran.
On April 17, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised that Israel would make its own decisions and do whatever was necessary to protect itself, even if it contradicted advice given by its allies, as reported by the Times of Israel.
Netanyahu made the statement during Wednesday’s cabinet meeting after meeting the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom and Germany. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock arrived in Israel on Wednesday.
“I know there’s a lot of interest in the Middle East reporting overnight and we understand that we understand that. I’m going to say it now, although I know you all will definitely ask me about it. We have no comment on the reports at this time,” Jean-Pierre said during a press briefing on Friday.
The White House press secretary further said that the United States is consulting with allies and partners, including in the region, to further reduce the risk of escalation in the Middle East.
Asked about the situation in the Middle East, Karine Jean-Pierre declared: “I will once again be very attentive, I understand the interest and I will disappoint a lot of people here this afternoon. I’m not going to speculate on the reporting. You’ve obviously heard the same thing. You have said what we have been saying since this morning; so I’m just going to say it. , very attentive, but since you also asked me about climbing, I will speak more generally.”
She said the Biden administration made it clear from the beginning that it did not want to see this conflict escalate. She referred to the joint statement of G7 foreign ministers issued after the meeting, which was attended by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
“We have been very clear from the outset that we do not want to see this conflict escalate. We continue to consult with our allies and partners, including in the region, to reduce any risk of escalation in the region. a sentiment this was expressed in the joint statement of G7 foreign ministers released this morning,” she added.
Earlier on Friday, Israel carried out airstrikes against Iran, ABC News reported, citing a US official. Al Jazeera cited Mehr news agency reporting that “noises were heard above the city” in Isfahan, adding that “several miniature drones were shot down.”
However, the official could not confirm whether Syrian and Iraqi sites were also hit. This report was published shortly after local sources reported explosions in the Isfahan region of central Iran.
Following this, Iran fired on air defense batteries and halted air operations in several cities, including Tehran, Shiraz and Isfahan, which were later lifted.
Meanwhile, according to Syrian media this morning, Syrian army positions in the governorates of As-Suwayda and Daraa, in southern Syria, were also the target of attacks.
The attacks targeted Syrian military radar sites between Qarda and Izraa in Daraa, southern Syria, according to local media outlet As-Suwayda24. Residents of Mosul and Erbil in Iraq reported also hearing the sound of fighter jets early Friday morning, the Jerusalem Post reported.
The latest development comes after Iran fired a barrage of more than 300 missiles and drones against Israel on April 13, which Tehran said was in retaliation for an alleged Israeli strike on its consulate in Syria on April 1, in during which 13 people were killed.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, during discussions on the situation in the Middle East at the UN Security Council on Thursday, warned Israel against any military action targeting Iranian interests.
He said Iran had ended its “defense and counter-offensive measures” and urged the international community to prevent Israel from carrying out military operations against Iran.
On April 17, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised that Israel would make its own decisions and do whatever was necessary to protect itself, even if it contradicted advice given by its allies, as reported by the Times of Israel.
Netanyahu made the statement during Wednesday’s cabinet meeting after meeting the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom and Germany. British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock arrived in Israel on Wednesday.
