US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced on Sunday that Washington sees a potential escalation of the war in the Middle East “due to the actions of Iran and its agents in the region.”

Blinken added to NBC News in an interview that the United States is not seeking escalation, and that it hopes to release more hostages held by Hamas, after the latter released two American hostages, on Friday, who were kidnapped in the attack it carried out on settlements. Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip on October 7, according to Reuters.

“Potential for major escalation”

At the same time, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin renewed the warning against military escalation in the region.

He said in television statements on Sunday: “We see the possibility of a major escalation of attacks on our forces and citizens throughout the region.”

He also added that his country reserves the right to self-defense and will not hesitate to take appropriate action to protect its forces, according to ABC.

He advised any country or armed group seeking to expand the conflict or benefit from it not to do so, referring to Iranian-backed militias whether in Iraq, Lebanon or Syria.

Providing Israel with what it needs

In addition, Austin stressed that Washington is currently focusing on providing Israel with what it needs to defend itself. He acknowledged that the expected ground attack on Gaza may be more difficult because of the tunnels built by Hamas.

At the same time, he urged Israel to carry out its military operations in Gaza in a manner consistent with international law.

Iranian warning

These statements came in conjunction with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, on Sunday, warning both the United States and Israel that the situation in the Middle East may become “out of control unless the crimes against humanity committed in Gaza stop,” as he put it.

Meanwhile, Iranian officials saw that Tehran faces a real dilemma regarding the Gaza issue, between confronting Israel and expanding the conflict through Hezbollah and other factions it supports, and keeping the confrontation limited to avoid heavy losses.