John Kirby: Iran Continues to Support Hamas and Hezbollah

The Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council of the White House stated during a press briefing on Monday: "Iran continues to support Hamas and Hezbollah and, in some cases, actively facilitates these attacks." He added that Iran also provokes other parties that intend to exploit the conflict for their own benefit or for Iran's benefit. He also mentioned that the U.S. is taking necessary actions to protect its security interests in the Middle East but reminded that Washington does not want the war between Israel and Hamas to escalate amid "increased rocket and drone attacks by Iranian-backed proxy forces." In response to another question about "U.S. interference in Israel's military decisions," John Kirby clarified: "Israel's military decisions are their own, and the U.S. does not dictate conditions to them." Kirby refrained from stating whether the U.S. pressured Israel to delay a ground invasion. He continued by saying that the United States maintains active communication with Israeli counterparts to understand their intentions and objectives, especially regarding targeting Hamas after the October 7 attack. He also emphasized the "need for humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza," regardless of the ground invasion, stating: "Whether a ground invasion occurs or not, we believe that humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza is very important and should be done as quickly as possible and as much as possible." It is noteworthy that the U.S. Department of Defense also announced on Monday that it holds the Islamic Republic of Iran ultimately responsible for the recent missile and drone attacks on American soldiers in the Middle East. Patrick Ryder, a Pentagon spokesperson, told reporters that although Washington does not have information indicating that the Iranian government "explicitly ordered" the recent attacks on American forces, the groups responsible for these attacks are supported by the Islamic Republic. The continued support of American lawmakers for Israel; the Senate Republican leader stated: The Islamic Republic is a threat. The Israeli army's attack on 320 Hamas sites in Gaza; the death toll in Gaza has reached "five thousand." Live blog: G7 foreign ministers welcome the cessation of hostilities; all hostages should be released unconditionally. Britain: Hamas missile was the cause of the explosion in the Gaza hospital. Netanyahu in a meeting with his Dutch counterpart: We are in a battle of "civilization" against "barbarism."