US Sends Message Warning Iran Not to Escalate Conflict in Middle East

The United States urged Iran through diplomatic channels not to escalate tensions in the Middle East, warning that doing so would go against Tehran’s interests, according to the U.S. Department of State. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in the Iranian capital Tehran on July 31, in an attack that drew threats of revenge against Israel and fueled further concern that the conflict in Gaza was turning into a wider Middle East war. Iran is believed to back Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist group that has been involved in the Gaza conflict since it attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Tensions have sharply risen between Hezbollah, a terrorist organization that U.S. officials say is backed by Iran, and Israel. Hezbollah leaders have said they plan to retaliate against Israel after its military launched a strike in Beirut on July 30, killing a top Hezbollah commander. The strike was made after the terrorist group was blamed for a rocket attack that left about a dozen civilians dead in the Golan Heights....