Blinken Urges Calm in the Middle East and Calls for a Ceasefire in Gaza
On Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged the conflicting parties in the Middle East to end the violence and reach a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. During a joint press conference with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong, Blinken emphasized the need to “contain the escalation amid the possibility of Iran striking Israel.”
Blinken stressed that “escalation will not serve the interests of any party, but will increase conflict, violence, and insecurity. This situation must be resolved through a ceasefire in Gaza.”
He added that the region is “in a critical and sensitive phase.”
Blinken further stated, “All parties should avoid escalation. No party should look for excuses to delay or reject reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.” He concluded by saying, “We are engaged in intensive diplomacy, almost around the clock, to deliver a clear message on the need to avoid escalation.”
