13.08.2024 08:20
As tension escalates in the Middle East following the killing of senior members of Hamas and Hezbollah, Iran and its allies are expected to launch attacks on Israel. Jeff Flake, the US Ambassador to Ankara, stated that the US has requested Turkey and other allies with relations to Iran to persuade Iran to reduce tensions in the Middle East.
The assassination attempt on Hamas' political leader Ismail Haniyeh, backed by Iran, and Iran's threats of retaliation against Israel have caused this tension to escalate. Jeff Flake, the US Ambassador to Turkey, expressed the desire for Iran to reduce the tension by convincing allies.
Hamas' political leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran, Iran's capital, on July 31, and following this assassination, Iran made threats of retaliation against Israel. While Iran blamed Israel for the assassination, Israel did not take responsibility.
White House National Security Spokesperson John Kirby said that Iran's possible retaliation against Israel could happen this week. Fox News claimed that "Tehran could strike within 24 hours."
"WE WANT TO CONVINCE IRAN TO REDUCE TENSION"
Flake, whose term as the US Ambassador to Turkey is ending soon, said during a press conference in Istanbul, "We want all our allies who have relations with Iran to convince Iran to reduce the tension, and Turkey is among these countries."
Referring to Washington's Turkish counterparts, Flake said, "They are doing their best to prevent the escalation. They seem more confident than us that the tension will not escalate."
TURKEY'S ROLE IN THE PRISONER EXCHANGE
Flake highlighted the "useful role" played by Turkey in the largest-scale prisoner exchange between the US and Russia since the Cold War, which took place in Ankara at the beginning of August.
Flake said, "They were not on the negotiation side, but they played an important role on the logistical side."
Flake stated that the situation in Gaza is "very difficult" and that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's anti-Israel rhetoric has made it difficult for Turkey to play a mediator role.
Flake also said that after Washington started "actively" calling for a ceasefire, the differences of opinion between Ankara and Washington have decreased, but the friction continues.
Flake stated that the US continues to be concerned about the military-related equipment sent from Turkey to Russia and called for increased cooperation to prevent exports.
Flake said, "This situation continues to be concerning for us, and we bring it up frequently and consistently. In our meetings with our counterparts here, we will emphasize that our goal is to take away Russia's war capability."
Flake said, "We see that a significant amount of products are coming from Turkey. Therefore, we want to improve cooperation and we are succeeding in many ways. I know that Russia is complaining, which is a good sign."