“We would like to deter the Iranians […] to take this path because the consequences would be cataclysmic, especially for Iran,” he added, warning against any attack that could “derail” delicate talks on a truce in the Gaza Strip.
President Joe Biden assured Friday that the parties involved in the conflict in Gaza “have never been closer” to an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages, after two days of talks in Qatar in which American mediators presented a revised proposal.
“Hamas, a group linked to Iran, started this war on October 7, and it would be ironic if Iran did anything to derail what we believe is the best opportunity in months to get a ceasefire agreement very comprehensive and the release of the hostages,” assured the previously quoted high-ranking American official.
“Do what it takes”
Iran has warned Israel that it will carry out an attack in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in the Iranian capital on July 31. Tehran blames this assassination on the Israeli state, which has not claimed responsibility for it.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on Friday that he expected his allies to “join Israel” to “attack Iran” if the Islamic Republic attacked his country, welcoming his French and British counterparts.
Asked about these statements by Israel Katz, the senior American official only assured that the United States is preparing “for any eventuality.”