Joe Biden, photo: Shutterstock
US President Joe Biden said he expects tensions between Iran and Israel to ease if a cease-fire agreement is reached in the Gaza Strip. It came in response to warnings from senior Iranian officials that only a ceasefire could prevent direct retaliation from Tehran for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
“I’m waiting,” Biden briefly answered reporters’ questions about the possibility of Iran’s refusal to attack Israel in the event of a cease-fire agreement in Gaza. The US president made this statement after arriving in New Orleans, where he spoke with the press.
Earlier, Reuters reported that three high-ranking Iranian officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that if the ceasefire talks fail or if Israel drags them out, Iran, along with its allies, including Hezbollah, may launch a direct attack.
In recent days, Iran has been conducting an intensive dialogue with Western countries and the United States regarding possible retaliatory measures. Washington has also asked its allies to help reduce tensions, the US ambassador to Turkey confirmed. According to regional sources, talks with Tehran are ongoing to avoid an escalation of the conflict ahead of planned ceasefire talks, which are due to start on Thursday in either Egypt or Qatar.
The situation escalated after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31, which triggered a wave of threats from Iran against Israel. Although Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for the killing, Tehran has accused it of involvement. On Monday, the United States warned that Iran could carry out a series of attacks on Israel this week.
US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby noted that this topic was key during Biden’s meeting with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Great Britain. He also added that a possible Iranian attack could significantly affect the progress of the planned ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip.
