Macron in Contact with Behdar: The Cycle of Violence Must End

Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, on Wednesday, August 8, in a phone call with Masoud Behdar, his Iranian counterpart, urged him to take necessary actions "to prevent the escalation of new military tensions" in the Middle East. According to AFP, Mr. Macron told Masoud Behdar that a new military escalation in the region "will benefit no one, including Iran, and will harm regional stability." The French President also called for an end to what he termed the "logic of retaliation" that has been expressed by Iranian officials following the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of the Hamas militant group in Tehran. Emmanuel Macron also emphasized the necessity of "supporting civilians." Meanwhile, according to Reuters, Masoud Behdar stated during this phone call that the Islamic Republic would "not remain silent" in the face of what he called "aggression." Following the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, concerns about the potential for regional conflicts have increased. Masoud Behdar criticized Israel regarding the Gaza war, stating that the Islamic Republic would not remain silent against "invasions of its interests and security." He added that if the U.S. and Western countries seek to prevent war in the region, they must compel Israel to stop what he termed "genocide," as well as attacks on Gaza and accept a ceasefire. In this context, an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation was held on Wednesday at the request of the Islamic Republic in Saudi Arabia to discuss the killing of Ismail Haniyeh. The Islamic Republic and its proxy groups like Hamas and Hezbollah accuse Israel of killing Ismail Haniyeh. He was one of several senior Hamas officials killed since the onset of the war in Gaza. Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, Israel, the European Union, the UK, Canada, Japan, and several other countries, is supported by the Islamic Republic. This accusation has been made against Israel while officials in that country have not yet taken responsibility for the killing of Ismail Haniyeh. Meanwhile, Lloyd Austin, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, on Tuesday, August 7, warned that the United States would not tolerate attacks on its forces in the Middle East following a rocket attack on Monday, August 6, in Iraq that resulted in the injury of seven American personnel. According to AFP, Mr. Austin stated at a press conference: "Do not mistake, the United States will not tolerate attacks on our personnel in the region." The attack on Monday was the third attack on the Ain al-Asad base in western Iraq in more than three weeks. Ain al-Asad hosts American forces as well as personnel from coalition countries led by the United States against the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group. Meanwhile, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Defense, the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, spoke with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Galant, regarding the rocket attack on Monday. According to the Pentagon, they agreed that this attack was a "dangerous sign" of escalating tensions. This attack occurred while the Middle East is anticipating a possible response from the Islamic Republic against Israel following the killing of Ismail Haniyeh. Antony Blinken: The ceasefire in Gaza has reached its final stage, tensions with the Islamic Republic are the only threat; warning to proxies; U.S. Secretary of Defense: The United States will not tolerate attacks on its forces in the Middle East. The Middle East is at risk of escalating crisis; U.S. F-18 and F-22 jets are heading to the Middle East. Yahya Sinwar has succeeded Ismail Haniyeh. Nasrallah once again threatened Israel: Our response is on the way; sonic boom in the skies over Beirut. Hezbollah Lebanon after drone attacks on Israel: We have not yet avenged Fouad Shukr.