Blinken-US Uninvolved & Unaware Of Haniyeh Elimination Beforehand

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that "We were not involved in the elimination of Haniyeh and were not informed beforehand." The killing of Hamas' political leader Ismail Haniyeh in the Iranian capital Tehran has seen conflict risks spike in the Middle East at a time when the conflict in Gaza, Houthi strikes on shipping in the Red Sea, and escalating strikes between Hezbollah and Israel had already caused significant tensions.

• The US has voiced its continued support for Israel while also advocating for a deal that sees hostages held by Hamas released in exchange for a ceasefire.
• Given the significant US military presence in the region, there will be concerns at the Pentagon that a major retaliation orchestrated by Tehran could include attacks on bases in the region. A drone strike attributed to the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah killed three US service personnel at a base in Jordan in January. Five rockets were also firedtowards a US base in Syria from Iraq in April.
• The US making it clear that it had no part in the Haniyeh elimination would indicate its intentions to de-escalate and avoid a broader regional conflictthat could drag its sizeable forces into play.