US Not Involved In Israeli Strikes On Iran – Blinken Reveals

Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, had revealed that the US was not involved in Israeli strikes on Iran.

“The reports that you’ve seen, I’m not going to speak to them except to say that the United States has not been involved in any offensive operations,” he said at a press conference after a meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers in Capri, Italy.

He stated that the G7 is focused on avoiding a larger regional conflict.

“You saw Israel on the receiving end of an unprecedented attack, but our focus has been on, of course, making sure that Israel can effectively defend itself, but also de-escalating tensions, avoiding conflict,” Blinken said in a statement.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who presided over the G7 meeting, stated that the United States informed its G7 partners that it had received “last-minute” information from Israel regarding its actions.

In the G7 communiqué, Blinken and other foreign ministers announced new sanctions against Iran for its attacks on Israel and urged de-escalation. For the time being, it appears that Tehran is listening.

Israel’s strikes appear to be in response to the hundreds of Iranian drones and missiles launched at Israel on April 13. Most were intercepted with the assistance of the United States and regional allies, including Jordan and Saudi Arabia, resulting in no casualties and minimal damage. That suggests Iran may have planned the strikes to minimize casualties or provided advance notice, which the White House denies.

The early Friday attacks on Iran appear to be limited, with no casualties reported yet. Following Iran’s attacks, US President Joe Biden has urged Israel to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation. His administration is working with allies and partners, including the G7, on a “comprehensive response.”

These could include new sanctions on Tehran as well as enhanced air and missile defense and early warning systems throughout the Middle East, according to national security adviser Jake Sullivan in a statement released earlier this week.

Three explosions were heard in Isfahan, Iran, according to Iranian state media early Friday local time. Explosions occurred around the same time in Iraq and Syria.

Tehran claimed the April 13 attacks were in response to an Israeli airstrike on Iran’s consulate in Damascus, Syria, on April 1. Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, as well as other IRGC commanders, were killed in the bombing. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the attack.

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