US President Joe Biden is set to convene his national security team to address recent developments in the Middle East, according to the White House.
The meeting, scheduled for Monday, will take place in the Situation Room and will be closed to the press.
In addition to the internal discussions, President Biden will also hold a separate conversation with Jordan’s King Abdullah II. This engagement underscores the administration’s efforts to coordinate international responses amid escalating tensions in the region.
The ongoing conflict, which began on October 7 with Israel’s severe offensive against Gaza in response to an attack by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas, has resulted in the deaths of nearly 39,600 Palestinians over the past ten months. This violence has contributed to heightened regional instability.
Recent developments include the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last Wednesday, following an Israeli strike in a Beirut suburb that killed a senior Hezbollah military commander. The assassination of Haniyeh prompted Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to reportedly order a retaliatory strike against Israel.
In response to these mounting tensions, the Pentagon announced on Friday the deployment of additional military assets to the Middle East. This move is intended to mitigate the risk of further escalation involving Iran or its allies. The Department of Defense emphasized its commitment to preventing a regional conflict and maintaining stability in the area.
