U.S. Hopes Iran Will Choose Path Of De-Escalation

Washington D.C./31.10.23/Turan:  The Biden administration made it clear on Monday that deterring a wider conflict in the region remains its priority as it watches the growing war between Israel and Hamas, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

Top of mind for Washington officials is ensuring Iran and its proxies groups stay out of the conflict.

"We hope that they will choose a path of de-escalation," State Department's spokesperson Matthew Miller told TURAN's correspondent during a daily briefing.

When asked by TURAN if Washington's messages to Tehran are being well-received, Miller said:  "We have been very clear, we have made quite clear, that we will defend United States interests and United States personnel in the region. You saw us conduct military operations last week to reinforce that fact.  We have made this clear directly to the Iranian Government..."

In a clear deterrence message, the U.S. last week launched airstrikes in Syria hitting targets linked to Iran. The Pentagon also stationed the aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford and its strike group in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

Alex Raufoglu