Biden focused on preventing wider regional conflict: WH
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John Kirby expressed that Iran's response does not mean the US "should just accept a constant rising escalation in the region."
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White House national security communications adviser John Kirby speaks during a briefing at the White House on April 4, 2024.(AP)
White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby emphasized Monday morning that President Joe Biden is committed to steering clear of a larger regional war after Iran's retaliatory attack on "Israel."
Kirby told CNN’s Kate Bolduan Monday morning that Iran's response does not mean the US "should just accept a constant rising escalation in the region. The President is not going to accept that he wants to see things de-escalate."
When asked if the White House believes "Israel" should not react, Kirby said that the decision is ultimately up to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration, but the US wishes to see tensions de-escalate.
“We respect their sovereign decision-making process. What we want to see is a de-escalation of the tensions. We don't want to see a wider war," Kirby continued.
The United States House garnered dozens of new votes on Sunday backing a bill for later this week, which would see sanctions on Iran and its Resistance regional allies, and support for "Israel" to attack Iran following the Islamic Republic's military response on early Sunday morning.
Iran's strikes, described by Western media as "unprecedented," came in response to an Israeli aggression two weeks ago targeting the Iranian consulate in Damascus. The Israeli attack resulted in the martyrdom of seven senior IRGC advisors, including Brigadier General martyr Mohammad Reza Zahedi, the leader of the IRGC's Quds Force in Syria and Lebanon.
The bipartisan bill will replace another non-related vote earlier pushed by Republicans as a means to pressure US President Joe Biden to take further action against Tehran.
Republicans are scheduled to meet Monday evening ahead of this week's vote to discuss "Iran's recent attack on Israel and defense supplemental funding," Axios reported citing an invite presented to the news site.
US urges 'Israel' to 'be careful and strategic' regarding Iran
After the unprecedented retaliatory attack by Iran on "Israel", three US officials revealed that the Biden administration persists in privately and publicly advising "Israel" against a response.
According to a senior US official, the assessment from the United States is that Iran would respond to any substantial, overt Israeli strike on Iranian territory with a wave of missile and drone attacks.
The US official stressed that such actions would escalate tensions in the region.
During their phone call on Saturday, US President Joe Biden warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "think carefully" about retaliating at Iran, and "Israel" is not looking to worsen the situation, a US source said Sunday.
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