Biden Leads 24/7 Crisis Talks, Avoiding Israel-Iran Confrontation

Biden in Emergency Talks on Mideast Crisis

US President Joe Biden was engaged in crisis talks on Monday amid fears of an Iranian response to Israel. Washington has been working feverishly to avert crisis war in the Middle East. This happened after an apparent Israeli attack killed Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

Diplomacy Tries to Defuse Tensions

Biden, flanked by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, conducted a furious diplomacy bid to defuse the situation. The president put a call through to King Abdullah II of Jordan—a nation that had earlier in April shot down Iranian drones and missiles. Meanwhile, Secretary Blinken called top officials in Qatar and Egypt—two crucial mediators in securing the cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas, now approaching its tenth month.

Call for Ceasefire

He added that what is imperative at this moment is for all parties to avoid any actions that would escalate the situation in Gaza and initiate a halt in hostilities. Seriousness lies in breaking the cycle of violence, not only in Gaza but also in preventing its spillover, he added. The remarks by Blinken came after his discussions with the foreign ministers of the G7 nations and the prime minister of Iraq, which once again underlined the international concern over the situation spiralling out of control.

US Military Presence and Injuries

The US has intensified its military deployment in the Middle East, flexing its muscles against Iran, following an attack on a base hosting American troops in Iraq that left several US personnel injured. What Biden had set out to do—ending the Gaza war and striking a historic deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia—now faces a complex, volatile situation.

Frustration with Israeli Actions

Despite Biden’s unwavering support for Israel’s conflict with Hamas, he was frustrated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Haniyeh’s killing. The move disrupted the then-ongoing ceasefire negotiations between both nations. In his statement, Blinken had warned of probable Iranian retaliation and called for a freeze in the Gaza conflict and securing the return of hostages taken during Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7. The President reiterated Biden’s plan for a ceasefire.

Urgency for a Resolution

In a meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Blinken beckoned that the right choices should be made by all parties concerned to agree and not continue to procrastinate on the process. He emphasised that time was of the essence—for instance, that a ceasefire may create opportunities leading to more lasting peace in the region.

Top Security Meetings

Biden met in the White House’s Situation Room with his national security team — including Vice President Kamala Harris. Following a weekend in Delaware, Biden went straight into meetings and did not talk to reporters. The White House said that later, Biden and King Abdullah discussed efforts to de-escalate tensions through an immediate ceasefire and a deal for hostage release.

Jordan’s Stance and Regional Dynamics

Jordan’s situation is complicated, as the country has a vast Palestinian majority and a peace treaty with Israel. The country has hence attempted to avoid being pulled into the tug-of-war situation. Back in April last year, Iran attacked Israel directly following an attack on an Iranian diplomatic facility in Syria, which brought their clandestine ongoing war with Israel out in the open. The missiles and drones were intercepted with the help of Jordan by the US and damage was kept at a minimum. Nevertheless, the risk of escalation remains highly considerable, as every cycle of violence may increase the potential for miscalculations and unintended consequences.