US President Joe Biden on Monday discussed the Middle East tensions with his national security team and Jordan's King Abdullah II, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that his country's enemies would pay a “heavy price” if Iran or its proxies in the region attack Israel.
An Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said at a news conference Monday that Iran is “not seeking to exacerbate tensions in the region,” but that Iran has the right to punish Israel after last week’s attack that killed Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
Iran blamed Israel for Haniyeh's killing, which came hours after an Israeli airstrike in Beirut killed a commander of the militant group Hezbollah, which like Hamas, is backed by Iran.
Netanyahu said Sunday (4/8) that Iran and its proxies are trying to encircle Israel “in the grip of terrorism.”
“We are determined to confront them on every front and in every arena, near and far,” Netanyahu said. “Anyone who tries to harm us will pay a very heavy price.”
After Abdullah spoke with Biden, Jordan's embassy in Washington said the king “stressed the need for de-escalation in the region and establishing a comprehensive calm to prevent a regional war.”
Abdullah “said that reaching an immediate and permanent ceasefire to end the catastrophe in Gaza (Israel's war with Hamas) is an immediate step that must be fully implemented to maintain regional security and prevent further wars and conflicts.”
The White House said Biden “affirmed unwavering U.S. support for Jordan as a partner and ally in promoting regional peace and security.”
Meanwhile, Turkey and Japan advised their citizens on Monday to leave Lebanon, joining the United States, France, Canada, Britain and Jordan in warning of potential danger. (th/ka)
Some information in this report comes from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
