Washington: We are working to avoid the expansion of the conflict in the region

Washington (Union, agencies)

US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, considered that the Middle East region is going through a dangerous stage at the present time, stressing that Washington will continue to work to avoid the expansion of the conflict in the region while taking measures to defend its forces against the attacks it has been exposed to since last October 17.
Austin said, in a press conference at the Pentagon headquarters, yesterday evening: “It is a dangerous moment in the Middle East,” adding, “We continue to work to avoid a broader conflict in the region, but we will take all necessary measures to defend the United States, our interests, and our people.”
In this context, the United States emphasized its complete clarity regarding its opposition to the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a press briefing at the ministry’s headquarters: “We have always made clear that we believe that expanding settlements in the West Bank undermines peace, undermines stability, and ultimately threatens the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and makes it more difficult.”
He continued, “We will continue to work with the Israeli government on this matter,” adding: “We are completely clear about our opposition to expanding settlements. We have made that clear with the Israeli government, and we will continue to make the matter clear to them.”
Regarding settler violence in the West Bank, Miller said: “Without revealing too much of our private diplomatic conversations, I will say that we had some very frank conversations with them about extremist settler violence, and that includes some detailed conversations, as we presented cases to the Israeli side whenever we saw documented reports from The settlers accepted and we asked them to take the necessary measures.”
Yesterday evening, President Joe Biden's administration imposed sanctions on 4 Israelis, accusing them of involvement in violence committed by settlers in the West Bank.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement, “Biden’s order creates a system to impose financial sanctions and visa restrictions on individuals found to have attacked or terrorized Palestinians or seized their property.”
Sullivan added: “The measures aim to enhance peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”
Last December, the United States began imposing a ban on granting entry visas to people involved in violence in the occupied West Bank.