The US was "not involved" in the series of pager explosions in Lebanon and was "not aware" of any attack in advance, said a State Department spokesperson
"The US was not aware of this incident in advance, and at this point, we're gathering information," said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, who repeatedly referred to the matter as an "incident" not an "attack".
Miller did not say what information the US has so far, and would not say whether the US assesses that Israel is responsible or not.
Hezbollah and Lebanon have both blamed Israel for the attack, which injured about 2,800 people and killed at least nine people, according to the Lebanese Health Minister. The Israel Defense Forces did not comment.
"I don't have any assessment to offer one way or other at this point," said Miller.
Miller would not say if the US would make its own assessment, but said it was "gathering information through all of the ways in which we usually gather information".
"We're gathering information through diplomatic channels as well as other channels about this incident," he said, but would not say if the US has had conversations with Israeli or Lebanese officials.
"I don't want to prejudge what we'll say in the days to come," the State Department Spokesperson said.
Asked if there were indications that Iran could retaliate, given reports that the Iranian ambassador was injured, Miller said he did not want to speculate until those reports were confirmed.
"I've seen the reports. I don't want to speak to what the implications might be before a report is confirmed. But certainly, as is always the case, we would urge Iran not to take advantage of any incident, any instability, to try to add further instability and to further increase tensions in the region. That has been our message to Iran since October 7," he said.
Miller also reiterated that the US believes there needs to be a diplomatic solution to the conflict in northern Israel with Hezbollah, and that it is important for Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire in order to make a diplomatic resolution in the north easier.
He said it is "very, very difficult to get a diplomatic resolution in the north absent a resolution to the conflict in Gaza, absent a ceasefire in Gaza, which is why we continue to push for that ceasefire, because we think it'll help make it much easier to reach a resolution".
Miller did not say how the US views this attack affecting the ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas.
The US continues to believe that there needs to be a diplomatic solution to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, White House Spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said on Tuesday.
Lebanon’s Hezbollah promised to retaliate after blaming Israel for detonating pagers on Tuesday that killed at least nine people and wounded 2,750 others, including many of the militant group’s fighters and Iran’s envoy to Beirut.
“So we continue, we continue to believe that there … should be a diplomatic resolution to this,” Jean-Pierre said.
Drugs valued at Rs 6.13 crore seized in Mizoram, three held
The Crime Investigation Department (CID) of Mizoram Police in a major drug haul, have seized huge drugs worth over Rs 6.13 crore and arrested three people including a Myanmar national and a juvenile, officials said on Wednesday.
preparation meeting for Diwali mela at Tripurasundari temple held
A vibrant three-day Diwali fair and festival is set to light up Udaipur from October 31 to November 2. The decision was confirmed during a preparation meeting of the Diwali Mela and Utsav Committee held today at the Gomati District Administration Conference Hall.
Mukhyamantri Samipeshu bridges gap between government and people: CM
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha on Wednesday said that Mukhyamantri Samipeshu is effectively bridging the gap between the government and the people, addressing their grievances.
Three NE CMs welcome ‘One Nation, One Election’ plan
Chief Ministers of three BJP-ruled northeastern states - Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura - on Wednesday welcomed the Union Cabinet's approval to the ‘One Nation, One Election’ recommendation by a high-level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind.
Dilip Ghosh slams TMC for Law and Order collapse, arrives Tripura for membership drive
Former West Bengal BJP President Dilip Ghosh has criticized the Trinamool Congress for its lack of control over the administration, leading to the deterioration of law and order in Bengal.
Dhalai, three Blocks in Tripura achieves 100 percent saturation in Sampoornata Abhiyan
Tripura’s Dhalai District and three Aspirational Blocks have reached 100 percent Saturation under Sampoornata Abhiyan. Sampoornata Abhiyan is a campaign launched by NITI Aayog to accelerate development in India's most underdeveloped regions.
Asish files FIR against BJP, Shiv Sena leaders for defaming Rahul Gandhi
The Congress leader has filed FIR against Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad, Ravneet Singh Bittu, Minister, Govt. of India, Tarvinder Singh, Ex- BJP MLA and Raghuraj Singh, Uttar Pradesh Minister.
CM inaugurates blood donation camp organized by Maharani Tulsibati Welfare Trust
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha on Wednesday said that due to the sincere efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Northeast is now free from terrorist activities and peace has been restored.