US leaders call for calm in the Middle East, even as more American forces head to the region

Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Top U.S. national security leaders are calling for calm in the Middle East and say they are directly pressing Israel, Iran and others to avoid escalating the conflict. Their calls come as the U.S. moves more troops to the region and is threatening retaliation if American forces are attacked. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said everyone in the region must make decisions that will calm tensions, not exacerbate them,. But Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin noted the attack on U.S. forces in Iraq by an Iranian-backed militia group and made it clear that the U.S. won’t hesitate to respond. Blinken and Austin spoke Tuesday after meeting with Australian leaders at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.