Blinken warns Iran but also Israel not to 'escalate'

The United States has communicated to Iran and Israel that conflict in the Middle East must not escalate, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday. Also the Pentagon warned that it would not tolerate attacks against its forces in the region.

Five U.S. troops and two contractors were injured in an attack on a base in Iraq on Monday, which U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin blamed on Iran-backed groups. Blinken said, US will continue to defend Israel against attacks, but everyone in the region should understand the risks of escalation and miscalculation.