WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — The U.S. is helping Israel defend itself against Iran as tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East.
The Pentagon announced it moved more military assets into the region while the U.S. is urging its citizens in Lebanon to leave the country.
“We don’t want to see escalation,” said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.
After President Joe Biden returned to the White House Monday to meet with his national security team, the Israeli military announced it launched an airstrike that killed a second Hezbollah leader.
Last week, attacks in the region killed top leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas, and since then, Iran has been upping its strikes against Israel.
“We don’t think these attacks should be inevitable,” Miller said of Iran. “We don’t think that they should happen. We don’t think that they’re in Iran’s interest.”
When asked if the killing of the terror group leaders complicated ceasefire and hostage negotiations, Miller said he would echo President Biden, “It certainly didn’t help.”
U.S. officials from President Biden to Secretary of State Antony Blinken to a top general spoke with Middle East leaders Monday to make sure ceasefire talks for the war in Gaza are still moving forward.
“Ultimately, it’s not a decision the United States can make,” Miller said.
However, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, (R-Okla.), said a stronger posture against Iran is something the U.S. can and should do.
“The snake is Iran, and that head needs to be cut off,” Mullin said on CNN’s State of the Union Sunday.
Mullin praised the Pentagon announcement saying it moved “significant assets” to the region.
“I’m glad that they’re positioning our carriers and our fighters in the right places,” he said. “However, they need to know that we’re willing to use it.”
The Biden administration reiterated its commitment to helping Israel defend itself.
