“The United States is determined to prevent Iran, its partners and Iranian-backed proxies from take advantage of the situation or expand the conflict” aggravated by Israel’s bombing of Lebanon, according to a statement from Austin.
Austin stressed that the United States will take necessary measures if Iran or its allies attack US personnel or interests in the Middle East.
The Pentagon maintains that Austin and agency leaders remain focused on de-escalation through deterrence and diplomacyas well as the protection of American citizens and forces and the defense of Israel.
Read more: Escalation in the Middle East: UN calls for calm
The United States statement is issued after the Army of Israel announced that it killed more than 20 Hezbollah members in a massive bombing in Beirut, Lebanon, on Friday, September 27, where Hasan Nasrallah, the organization’s top leader, and the commander of the southern front, Ali Karaki, were also assassinated.
Abbas Araqchí, Foreign Minister of Lebanon, commented that the armed attack where The general of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard died, Abbas Nilforushan, will not remain unanswered.
Israel has carried out, in recent weeks, a series of attacks against top Hezbollah leaders which left more than a thousand dead, 6,000 injured and around a million displaced, according to official data.
