The United States called on all Middle Eastern parties to refrain from taking steps that would escalate the situation, as it pushed to prevent an Iranian attack against Israel.
“We are engaged in intense diplomacy, pretty much around the clock, with a very simple message, all parties must refrain from escalation,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday afternoon.
“All parties must take steps to ease tensions. Escalation is not in anyone's interest.
“It will only lead to more conflict, more violence, more insecurity,” he stated.