WASHINGTON: The US State Department has officially confirmed its communication with Iran, delivering “strong” messages to emphasize its commitment to safeguarding its interests and forces in the Middle East.
This communication comes in the wake of recent attacks on American military bases in Iraq and Syria, prompting the United States to underscore its readiness to protect its interests in the region.
Against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict between Hamas and the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip, the US State Department has clarified its position. They firmly stated, “We do not support any forced resettlement of Palestinians outside Gaza, and this is not something on the table.” The US also strongly rejected the idea of the reoccupation of Gaza, asserting that such an action is unacceptable, while emphasizing that Gaza remains Palestinian territory.
These developments unfolded after Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani’s visit to Tehran, during which he carried messages from the United States. His visit followed a meeting between US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and al-Sudani in Baghdad. During their meeting, they discussed the imperative need to contain the crisis in the Gaza Strip and prevent its escalation.
A well-informed political source revealed that al-Sudani’s visit to Tehran revolved around two key issues. Firstly, it involved conveying stern warnings from the U.S. concerning Iran’s support for armed groups and its involvement in military operations against American targets and interests in Iraq and the wider region. Secondly, al-Sudani sought Iranian support to exert pressure on certain armed factions in Iraq, with the aim of averting further escalation and mitigating the potential for military responses from the United States.
