Published January 18,2024
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US President Joe Biden mentioned Thursday that air strikes by Pakistan and Iran on one another’s territory confirmed Tehran was not “well-liked”, because the White House warned in opposition to any escalation.
Tensions between nuclear-armed Islamabad, a key US ally, and Washington’s foe Tehran have soared after Iran struck alleged militant targets in Pakistan and Pakistan responded in form.
The scenario has additionally added to broader tensions in and across the Middle East, the place Iran’s proxies are in confrontation with Israel and the United States following October 7.
“As you can see, Iran is not particularly well liked in the region,” Biden instructed reporters on the White House when requested in regards to the clashes.
Biden mentioned the United States was now attempting to know how the Iran-Pakistan scenario would develop, including: “Where that goes we’re working on now — I don’t know where that goes.”
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby mentioned the United States was monitoring the scenario “very, very closely” and was in contact with Pakistani officers.
“These are two well-armed nations and again we don’t want to see an escalation of any armed conflict in the region, certainly between those two countries,” Kirby instructed journalists aboard Air Force One.
Islamabad had a proper to defend itself after the preliminary strikes by Iran, which Tehran mentioned had focused a Sunni Muslim extremist group behind a collection of assaults in Iranian territory.
Pakistan responded with strikes in Iran in opposition to what it mentioned had been separatist militants backing an insurgency in its restive southwestern province of Baluchistan.
“They were struck first by Iran, which was obviously another reckless attack, another example of Iran’s destabilizing behavior in the region,” added Kirby.
Kirby mentioned he was “not aware” that Islamabad had notified Washington earlier than putting Iran.
He wouldn’t remark when requested if the United States would supply assist for Pakistan, which is a significant non-NATO ally however lengthy had tense relations with Washington over claims it covertly backed the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Source: www.anews.com.tr