Jeff Flake, the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, revealed that the United States is urging Ankara and other allies with ties to Iran to convince Tehran to reduce tensions in the Middle East.
Ambassador Flake made these remarks as the region braces for potential attacks from Iran and its allies following the killing of two senior members of Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
In a meeting with journalists in Istanbul at the end of his tenure in Turkey, Flake said, “We are asking all our allies who have relations with Iran to pressure them to de-escalate, including Turkey.” He added, referring to Turkish representatives in Washington, “They are doing their best to ensure things do not escalate.”
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed calls from France, Germany, and Britain—the European troika—for Tehran to exercise restraint in response to Israel, describing them as “lacking political logic and contrary to the principles of international law.”
As the region remains on high alert following Iran and its proxies’ threats of imminent retaliation against Israel, the White House said on Monday that estimates indicate an Iranian or proxy attack could occur this week.
White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said during a press briefing that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has adjusted the U.S. military posture in the region. Kirby added that the United States must be prepared for what could be “significant attacks” from Iran.
Kirby confirmed that President Joe Biden discussed with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, and Britain efforts to de-escalate the situation in the Middle East and to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.
He further stated, “Europeans need to determine the role they might play in any response to an Iranian attack.”
An American source indicated that Iran is determined to launch a larger attack than the one it executed last April.
Regarding ceasefire and prisoner exchange talks in Gaza, Kirby mentioned that all parties, including Hamas, are expected to participate in ceasefire negotiations on Thursday.
The United States, along with Qatar and Egypt, which are mediating between Israel and Hamas, has urged both sides to resume talks in Doha or Cairo.
Earlier on Monday, two Israeli sources told the “Axios” news site that the Iranian attack would be direct and might begin before the scheduled ceasefire and prisoner exchange talks in Gaza on Thursday.
On Sunday, Iran’s acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani asserted that Iran’s response to Israel is legitimate and will be decisive.
Assassination of Haniyeh and Shukur
Tensions in the Middle East have escalated following the assassination of Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah military leader Fuad Shukur in Beirut’s southern suburbs a week ago.
Haniyeh’s assassination has been attributed to Israel, which has not commented on the incident, while Israel claimed responsibility for Shukur’s assassination.
Iran and Hamas accuse Israel of Haniyeh’s assassination and, along with Hezbollah, have vowed retaliation, raising fears of further escalation in the region amid the ongoing war in Gaza, which has entered its eleventh month.
