US Warns Iran and Hezbollah Again: Do Not Open a Second or Third Front

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on Friday, November 3, after meeting with Israeli officials, once again warned the Islamic Republic and its proxy groups, including Hezbollah, not to open a second or third front in the region. Mr. Blinken stated that the US strongly supports Israel's right to defend itself and emphasized that the United States has responded to attacks from the Islamic Republic's proxy groups and will continue to do so. The US Secretary of State, who arrived in Tel Aviv on Friday, said, 'Our country is committed to deterring aggression from any party and will take necessary steps in this regard.' He stressed the need to prevent the escalation of conflicts in the region, saying, 'US partners in the region and around the world play a vital role in preventing tensions from rising.' In another part of his remarks, the US Secretary of State stated that the right and duty to self-defense belongs to every country and that no country can tolerate the killing of civilians. According to him, 200 foreign citizens, including 35 Americans, were killed as a result of the October 7 attack by Palestinian militants on Israel. In this attack, over 1,400 people were killed, most of whom were civilians. Antony Blinken said, 'We must ensure that such actions do not happen again, and we must be able to shape a bright future for both sides (Israel and the Palestinians), the region, and the world.' The US Secretary of State clarified that the US is 'relentlessly focused on ensuring the freedom of hostages, including American hostages.' In his remarks, Antony Blinken also referred to the plight of Palestinian civilians and their suffering, including Palestinian children, accusing the militant group Hamas of showing 'no concern for the welfare and rights of the Palestinian people and using them as human shields.' He stated that civilians should not suffer due to Hamas's actions and added that he had discussed this issue with Israeli officials. According to Mr. Blinken, the President of the United States has repeatedly emphasized the necessity of adhering to international laws regarding civilians. However, he noted that more actions must be taken to protect Palestinian civilians. The US Secretary of State added that in his meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials, he discussed taking steps to minimize civilian casualties. According to Mr. Blinken, the United States has provided Israel with recommendations on minimizing civilian casualties while achieving its goals related to ending Hamas. He said, 'I also discussed with Israeli leaders taking tangible steps regarding the increased sustainable delivery of food, water, and medicine to the civilian residents of Gaza.' Antony Blinken added that in his discussions with Israeli officials, he emphasized the importance of creating humanitarian pauses to deliver humanitarian aid to civilians. The US Secretary of State added that he and Israeli leaders have also identified mechanisms for delivering fuel to hospitals in Gaza. Antony Blinken emphasized that the protection of civilians should not be limited to Gaza and must also include the West Bank. According to him, Israeli leaders promised to address extremist violence in the West Bank. The US Secretary of State stated that the United States still believes that a two-state solution is the best way to achieve peace. According to Antony Blinken, the US will continue discussions with its partners in the region and the world regarding Gaza after the war ends. Voice of America broadcast this press conference live with simultaneous translation. Hours before this press conference, the meeting between the US Secretary of State and the Israeli Prime Minister was held privately since the October 7 terrorist attack by Palestinian militants on Israel, after which Antony Blinken and his accompanying delegation met with Israel's war cabinet. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office reported that at the beginning of this meeting, Netanyahu showed the American delegation images of the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7. Mr. Blinken also met and talked with Isaac Herzog, the President of Israel, before this press conference. Herzog praised the 'continuous and unwavering support' of the US Secretary of State and the President of the United States for the people of Israel by posting a picture of this meeting. The President of Israel also appreciated the 'moral clarity and unified support of the United States for Israel's right to defend itself and for the immediate and unconditional return of hostages,' adding, 'Every moment that passes without them causes great pain and reflects more of Hamas's atrocities.' Following the October 7 terrorist attack by Palestinian militants on Israel, Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on October 12 as part of his Middle East tour, and after meeting with the Prime Minister and President of the country, he traveled to regional countries and met with senior leaders and officials from Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt, returning to Israel on October 24 to meet again with the Prime Minister and President of the country. Following Hamas's attack on Israel and the killing of over 1,400 people in one day, Israel began attacking Hamas positions in Gaza with the aim of eliminating this group supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, Australia, Israel, and several other countries have listed Islamic Jihad and Hamas as terrorist organizations. The US and its allies have also repeatedly called for the protection of the lives of Palestinian civilians living in Gaza and for the delivery of international humanitarian aid to them. The number of Israeli military casualties since the beginning of ground operations against Hamas has reached 24. The meeting between Blinken and Netanyahu in Tel Aviv was held as the Israeli security cabinet cut the budget related to Gaza in the Palestinian Authority. The US is using drones to find hostages in Gaza. Blinken emphasized US cooperation with regional countries to protect civilians in Gaza. The White House stated that Biden will veto the House of Representatives' plan on how to assist Israel. Israel's response to Hezbollah's threats: We will respond with action, not words. Evidence of direct involvement in the war between Israel and Hamas; Israel Hayom: The Islamic Republic sent five tons of weapons to Syria. Increased clashes between Israel and Hezbollah; Netanyahu: We are at the height of battle. The US and Saudi Arabia discussed the situation in Gaza and strengthening stability and security in the region. Blinken's trip to the Middle East coincided with the intensification of clashes in Gaza. Hamas claims: 195 people were killed in Israeli attacks on the Jabalia camp. The Israeli army: Hamas forces are misusing fuel sent for hospitals in Gaza. Antony Blinken emphasized the importance of defending Israel and assisting civilians in Gaza.