 "Joe Biden. File Photo")
US President Joe Biden has joined European leaders to warn Iran about attacking Israel.
The warning came as an Iranian attack on Israel is considered imminent. Multiple reports have said that the attack may take place within the next 24 hours — with indications that the attack may come as early as Monday night.
Biden joined British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni to express support for de-escalation in the Middle East and call upon Iran to stand down. They also supported the Israel’s right to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups in the region.
“We called on Iran to stand down its ongoing threats of a military attack against Israel and discussed the serious consequences for regional security should such an attack take place,” said the joint-statement shared by the leaders.
There are fears that the Iranian attack on Israel and the subsequent Israeli response could trigger an escalatory spiral that could plunge the Middle East in an all-out war. For days, the Western and Arab leaders have been pressing Iran to not carry out the attack that may lead to an uncontrollable escalatory spiral.
‘We endorse call for renewed ceasefire talks’
The five leaders endorsed the call of Biden, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for a deal to end the war in the Gaza Strip and return hostages held in captivity.
The leaders said there was no time to lose in renewing the talks to strike the deal.
Biden, El-Sisi, and Al Thani had urged Israel and Hamas to come to the talks on Thursday (August 15) to finalise the deal being negotiated for months. However, the fate of the meeting, described by Israel as a ’now or never’, is uncertain as Hamas has refused to join it.
“All parties must live up to their responsibilities. In addition, unfettered delivery and distribution of aid is needed,” said the joint statement.