Biden Spokesperson Refuses To Rule Out War Against Iran
The White House on Monday adopted a much tougher tone on Iran’s role in the war between Israel and Hamas, and about attacks by Tehran’s proxies on US bases in the region.
The White House on Monday adopted a much tougher tone on Iran’s role in the war between Israel and Hamas, and about attacks by Tehran’s proxies on US bases in the region.
US National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby speaking to CNN Monday evening did not rule out a direct military conflict with Iran, but tried to sidestep a direct question from host Wolf Blitzer on the possibility of a ‘war with Iran’.
“I think what we want to see more than anything is no widening of this conflict,” he said, “and we continue sending a strong message to the actors in the region, including Iran, that if you’re thinking about jumping in here, thinking about widening and deepening and escalating, don’t do it.”
Kirby’s warning to Iran and other actors in the Middle East is reminiscent of President Joe Biden’s remarks on the potential entry of other militant groups to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Biden famously warned them, “don’t, don’t, don’t.”
Those being addressed by Biden and Kirby, however, seem to not be listening.
Officials from the Pentagon and the State Department have confirmed that attacks on American military bases in Syria and Iraq are on the rise.
Kirby did admit as much in the White House Press Briefing on Monday, only a few hours before his interview with Wolf Blitzer.
“Over the course of the last few days,” Kirby said, “we’ve seen an uptick in rocket and drone attacks by Iranian-backed proxy groups against military bases housing U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria.”
It is an open secret that the Islamic Republic Guards Corps (IRGC) plays a prominent role in both Iraq and Syria. The regime’s officials boast about the IRGC’s involvement in the conflict and warn of escalation almost daily.
A report in the Sunday Times (October 22) suggested that “a series of volunteers from militias across the Middle East allied to Iran, particularly from #Iraq, have arrived on the Lebanese side of the border in the last two weeks.
Iran’s foreign minister Amir-Abdollahian issued a thinly veiled threat Sunday, saying “anything would be possible at any moment and the region will get out of control.”
Responding to the growing risk of a regional war, the US has sent two warships and anti-missile defense systems to the region.
Last week a squadron of B1b Lancer strategic bombers were moved from their Texas base to the Fairford base in Britain. The bomber can carry 50 tons of bombs and has enough range from Britain to Lebanon/Iran and back.
Despite the bellicose rhetoric from all sides, the reluctance to engage in a full-blown war is quite visible. But that could change any moment. An Israeli ground invasion of Gaza or a fatal attack on American bases in the region could take everyone over the brink.
So far, the civilians in Gaza and Israel have borne the brunt of the conflict.
At least 1400 Israelis were killed by Hamas forces on 7 October. And more than 5000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli airstrikes since –including 2000 children.
Calls have grown in recent days for a brief humanitarian ceasefire, but Israel has made clear that it has no intention of doing so for now as it carries on its stated mission to eliminate Hamas.
The Biden administration is supportive of the Israeli stance. “This is not the time for ceasefire in Gaza,” said Kirby to CNN, not sidestepping the question as he had done with the question of a potential war with Iran.