Middle East at Risk of 'Crisis Expansion'; US Message to the Islamic Republic via Arab Allies: Avoid Escalating Tensions with Israel

Informed sources reported on Wednesday that the United States has warned the Islamic Republic through Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar to avoid escalating tensions with Israel. It has also been reported that Israel has asked the US to limit Tehran's response through private and public warnings and displays of force. On the other hand, domestic media reported that Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic, spoke by phone on Wednesday night, April 22, with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq. According to government-affiliated media, Amir-Abdollahian discussed bilateral relations and the Gaza issue during these calls. Following Ali Khamenei's remarks at the Eid al-Fitr ceremony in Tehran, a verbal war has escalated between the parties. The leader of the Islamic Republic said on Wednesday that Israel must be punished for attacking the Iranian consulate in Damascus and that it will be punished. Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the IRGC Navy, also stated in an interview with Al-Mayadeen network in Lebanon on Tuesday: 'The attack on our consulate building in Damascus is considered an attack on our territory, and we will definitely respond to this action. We are not the kind of people to get slapped and not retaliate; we will strike back hard when the time comes.' He clarified about the timing and manner of the response to the attack attributed to Israel and the killing of IRGC Quds Force commanders in Syria: 'I cannot say what we will do; I can only say that we are ready and on alert, and anyone who looks at our country with an evil eye will be blinded.' However, Israel Katz, the Israeli Foreign Minister, warned on Wednesday in response to Khamenei's threats that if the Islamic Republic attacks Israel from its territory, Israel will respond with an attack on Iranian soil. US President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday, April 22, that America's support for Israel against Iranian threats is 'ironclad.' Biden, speaking at a joint press conference with the Japanese Prime Minister at the White House, referred to the Islamic Republic's threats against Israel, stating: 'They are threatening to carry out a significant attack against Israel. As I told Benjamin Netanyahu, our commitment to Israel's security against these threats from Iran and its proxy forces is ironclad.' He emphasized: 'Let me say it again, it is ironclad, and we will do everything in our power to protect Israel's security.' Lufthansa told Voice of America: 'We decide daily' about the continuation of flight suspensions to Iran. Lufthansa of Germany stated to Voice of America that due to the 'current regional conditions,' flights to and from Iran have been temporarily suspended. The commander of CENTCOM is on the verge of a trip to Israel; the potential attack by the Islamic Republic and its proxy groups on Israel is the focus of discussions. Biden: Our support for Israel against the threats from the Islamic Republic of Iran is 'ironclad.' In response to threats against Israel, Gallant: We will respond powerfully to any attack. Blog: Israel warns the people of Lebanon: We will confront the continued escalation of tensions by Hezbollah with all our might.