US President Joe Biden has held crisis talks on a potential Iranian counterattack on Israel as his administration said it was working around the clock to avoid all-out war in the Middle East.
Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in frantic diplomacy to try to ease tensions sparked by a suspected Israeli attack that killed Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, KLAX-TV reported.
"We are engaged in intense diplomacy, pretty much around the clock, with a very simple message -- all parties must refrain from escalation," Blinken said after joining other top officials in a White House meeting.
"It's also critical that we break this cycle by reaching a ceasefire in Gaza," Blinken added, who has also spoken since Sunday with G7 counterparts and Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani.
President Biden called King Abdullah II of Jordan, who helped shoot down Iranian drones and missiles in an earlier showdown in April, while Blinken called top officials in Qatar and Egypt, the key intermediaries seeking a ceasefire in the 10-month Israel-Hamas war.
On Monday, multiple US personnel were injured in a rocket attack on a base in Iraq, adding to the already heightened regional tensions.
Biden had been hoping in his final months in office to end the Gaza war and work on clinching a landmark deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Instead, he has boosted the US military presence in the Middle East in a show of strength to Iran, KLAX-TV reported.
After staunchly backing Israel's war against Hamas, Biden has made clear his frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the killing of Haniyeh, who was involved in the ceasefire negotiations.
Blinken, who has warned that Iran could strike soon, made a new pitch for Biden's ceasefire plan that would freeze fighting in Gaza and return hostages seized in the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.
A ceasefire "will unlock possibilities for more enduring calm, not only in Gaza itself but in other areas where the conflict could spread," Blinken said as he met Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
In a veiled allusion to US frustrations, Blinken said, "What it really comes down to, really, is all parties finding ways to come to an agreement, not look for reasons to delay or to say no."
Mistake that benefits no one: World leaders react to Trump's 'reciprocal tariffs'
As US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on the so-called "reciprocal tariffs," the world reacted sharply against the decision, with some calling it a "mistake that benefits no one" while others called it a violation of Washington's obligations under the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Indian pharmaceutical exports get reprieve from Trump’s reciprocal tariffs
Because of the importance of India’s pharmaceuticals to US healthcare, those exports will get a reprieve from President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, according to the White House.
India stands less impacted by Trump tariffs than global peers: Industry
As US President Donald Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries, including India, industry experts said on Thursday that it appears India's export competitiveness to the US market stands far less impacted on a relative basis compared to global peers.
IAF pilot killed, another critical as Jaguar fighter jet crashes in Gujarat
An Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot lost his life, while another sustained critical injuries after their two-seater Jaguar fighter jet crashed near Gujarat's Jamnagar Airfield, the IAF confirmed on Thursday.
PM Modi emplanes for Thailand; to attend BIMSTEC summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday emplaned for Thailand on a state visit to attend the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, with his visit also set to bolster bilateral relations between New Delhi and Bangkok.
Tripura CM stresses promoting NE states' potential to attract investment
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Wednesday said that the development of the communication process and system has generated a lot of investment potential, and therefore, more emphasis should be placed on promotion to attract investors in all the northeastern states.
Tripura has 94,723 Lakhpati Didis; 93,425 women to get similar status soon: Minister
Among the 4,75,582 Self Help Group (SHGs) members in Tripura, 94,723 women emerged as ‘Lakhpati Didis’ through their engagement in various enterprising units and 93,425 more women would be ‘Lakhpati Didis’ soon, Social Welfare and Labour Minister Tinku Roy said.
Bhavan’s Little Learners celebrate annual programme
The Bhavan’s Little Learners, Bordowali celebrated annual programme and organised prize distribution ceremony here at Agartala Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan on Wednesday.