US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Meets with G7 Countries
According to US-based website Axios, Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concerns about possible retaliatory actions by Iran and Hezbollah during the call. According to three sources who participated in the call, Blinken stated that the US believes the groups will carry out attacks, while informing the foreign ministers of the G7 countries that there is uncertainty about how Iran will retaliate.
Blinken said the exact timing of the attacks was not clear, but that they “could begin within the next 24 to 48 hours.” He also noted that the US was working to limit attacks by Iran and Hezbollah and to break the cycle of escalation by containing possible Israeli responses.
During the call, Blinken urged G7 foreign ministers to diplomatically pressure Iran, Hezbollah and Israel to exercise restraint, and stressed that the increase in US forces in the region was for defensive purposes only.
A source who attended the meeting said Blinken appeared “disappointed” when providing information about recent talks on Gaza prisoners and the ceasefire agreement.
Emphasis on Israel’s Security
Blinken met with foreign ministers from the G7 countries by phone to discuss “urgent needs” to reduce tensions in the Middle East, the US State Department said in a statement. The ministers discussed efforts to broker a ceasefire that would allow for the release of prisoners and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Discussing how a ceasefire in Gaza could contribute to peace and stability in the region, including the so-called “Blue Line” border between Israel and Lebanon, the ministers reiterated their “commitment to Israel’s security” and called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid escalation of the conflict.
