A top US general began an unannounced tour to the Middle East on Saturday to explore ways to avoid any fresh escalation in tensions that may lead to a larger confrontation, as the region prepares for a retaliatory strike on "Israel" from Iran. 

Air Force General C.Q. Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has started his journey in Jordan and is to visit Egypt and "Israel" in the following days to hear military officials' opinions.

His visit comes amid so-called efforts to broker a ceasefire deal between the Palestinian resistance and "Israel," which Brown stated would "help bring down the temperature" if reached.

Before he landed in Jordan, he told Reuters that as he speaks to counterparts, "what are the things we can do to deter any type of broader escalation and ensure we're taking all the appropriate steps to (avoid) ... a broader conflict."

Meanwhile, US occupation forces have been targeted by resistance groups in Syria, Iraq, and Jordan.

US Increases Military Presence in West Asia

In recent weeks, the United States military has increased its presence in the Middle East in an attempt to deter large new strikes by Iran or its allies, sending the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to replace the Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group.

In addition, the US has committed an Air Force F-22 Raptor squadron and a cruise missile submarine to the region.

Brown stated that protecting US forces was "paramount," adding that "We stay postured, watching the (intelligence) and force movements."

Brown declined to speculate on what Iran and the Axis of Resistance may do, but said he planned to explore several possibilities with his "Israeli colleague", particularly "how they might respond, depending on the response that comes from Hezbollah or from Iran."

Meanwhile, the Israeli genocide in Gaza has killed 40,334 Palestinians in addition to 93,356 injuries, Gaza's Health Ministry daily report said on Saturday.

Despite claiming to desire a ceasefire, the US continues to fund the occupation and enable it to commit its crimes against the Palestinians.

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar recently chastised the Biden administration for "refusing to recognize the genocidal war" in Gaza, reiterating that the US is supplying the weapons to the occupation and that wanting a ceasefire is achievable by stopping the weapons supply.

The Congresswoman added, "It's not just the hypocrisy of saying we respect international law, but humiliation."

Iran will not renounce its right to respond to 'Israel': Araghchi

Iran reserves the right to respond to the Israeli assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month, reiterated Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday.

In a phone conversation with his French counterpart Stephane Sejourne, Araghchi condemned Haniyeh's assassination as a violation of Iran’s territorial integrity, stressing that his country maintains the right to retaliate against this "terror act".

He also urged France and other Western countries to hold the Israeli occupation regime accountable for being the main instigator of the ongoing war on the Gaza Strip.

In a separate context, Araghchi reaffirmed Tehran's readiness to strengthen constructive relations with Paris.

On his part, Sejourne congratulated Araghchi on his new role as Iran's Foreign Minister and expressed readiness to continue diplomatic engagements on bilateral, regional, and international levels.