5 Western powers speak out

5 Western powers speak out

US President Joe Biden met with leaders from France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom on August 12 to discuss de-escalating tensions in the Middle East and a ceasefire in Gaza, the White House said.

In a joint statement released by the White House, the leaders of all five countries said they supported the call from the United States, Qatar, and Egypt to resume ceasefire talks in Gaza in order to finalize an agreement as soon as possible.

President Biden proposed a three-phase ceasefire in a speech on May 31. Since then, Washington and regional mediators have attempted to broker a ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for hostages, but have encountered numerous obstacles. Recently, the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar proposed a new round of ceasefire talks on August 15.

Residents pack their belongings and leave after Israeli troops warned of evacuation in the city of Hamad in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, August 11, 2024. Photo: Getty Images

The joint statement on August 12 emphasized that "there is no more time to lose." The statement also expressed support for Israel against any threat from Iran and urged the distribution and delivery of aid to Gaza.

The risk of a larger war in the Middle East has increased following the recent assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut.

"We call on Iran to cease threatening military action against Israel and to discuss the serious consequences for regional security if such an attack were to occur," the joint statement from the U.S. and its European allies added.

In another development, Axios reporter Barak Ravid, citing a source on social media, reported on August 12 that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to travel to the Middle East on August 13 amid rising tensions in the region.

Mr. Blinken had planned stops in Qatar, Egypt, Israel, and possibly Iran. "The trip (to Iran) isn't the last trip because, like everyone else, Mr. Blinken is waiting to see if Iran will attack," reporter Ravid wrote on X.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on August 12 that the U.S. was preparing for the possibility of significant attacks by Iran or its proxies in the Middle East as early as this week, and that the U.S. had increased its military presence in the region.

Behind the US resuming arms deal with Saudi Arabia

The U.S. confirmed on August 12 that it will continue selling offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia amid significantly shifted geopolitical considerations, giving way to Washington's hope that Riyadh will play a role in resolving the conflict in Gaza.

More than three years after Washington imposed restrictions on arms sales in Yemen, citing Saudi Arabian airstrikes, the U.S. State Department said it would resume selling weapons to Riyadh "in the usual process."

"Saudi Arabia remains a close strategic partner of the United States, and we look forward to strengthening that partnership," State Department spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters.

US President Joe Biden (left) is greeted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Alsalam Royal Palace in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2022. Photo: Anadolu

The United Nations, with the support of the United States, brokered a ceasefire in Yemen in early 2022, which has largely been implemented. Since the ceasefire, "there have been no Saudi airstrikes on Yemen, and cross-border fire from Yemen into Saudi Arabia has largely stopped," Patel said.

"Since that point, Saudi Arabia has completed its mission, and we are prepared to complete ours," the spokesperson continued.

The situation in the region has become even more complicated since the Israeli-Hamas conflict re-erupted in the Gaza Strip on October 7th last year.

While the US, UK, and more recently Israel have attacked Houthi targets in Yemen, Saudi Arabia has simply stood by and watched. The Houthis claim they carried out the attacks on ships in the Red Sea to show solidarity with Gaza.

In April, Saudi Arabia cooperated with the United States, along with Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in repelling a series of Iranian missiles and drones aimed at Israel in retaliation for Israel's attack on an Iranian diplomatic building in Syria.

The U.S. is hoping to garner support from its Arab partners amid Iran's threat of further retaliation against Israel for the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

Minh Duc (According to CGTN, The Guardian, SwissInfo)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/tinh-hinh-trung-dong-ngay-13-8-5-cuong-quoc-phuong-tay-cung-len-tieng-204240813113108462.htm