Sudani, Blinken discuss preventing regional escalation: US statement

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated calls to prevent escalation in the Middle East amid ongoing tensions over a phone call on Monday.

Sudani and Blinken “discussed ongoing diplomatic efforts to advance stability in the region and the importance of preventing escalation,” according to a statement from the US State Department.

Tensions between Israel and Iran-backed groups in the Middle East have been soaring in recent weeks, exacerbated by the killing of Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Iran has blamed Israel for the attack and has vowed vengeance, but Israel has not confirmed or denied  responsibility.

On Monday, the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy in a joint statement called on Iran to “stand down” from threatening to attack Israel.

Iraq-US military relations were also highlighted during the call, with both Sudani and Blinken committing to mutual consultation for issues in the region.

“The Secretary reiterated the importance of Iraq’s responsibility to protect Coalition military advisors from attacks by Iran-aligned militias,” the statement added.

Tensions have been high between Washington and Baghdad since the start of the latest chapter in the Israel-Palestine conflict in October. Pro-Iran Iraqi militias have carried out over 165 attacks on US troops based in Iraq and Syria in condemnation of the US government’s unwavering support for Israel.

The United States has responded with several retaliatory strikes, strongly condemned by the Iraqi government.

The attacks largely decreased since April, but resumed in late July with several reported strikes, including some attributed to a previously-unknown group close to pro-Iran militias.

A rocket strike targeted Ain al-Asad airbase, housing forces of the US-led coalition, in western Iraq’s Anbar province on August 5, injuring several US personnel. Iraqi security forces arrested five people for suspected involvement in the attack.