White House spokesperson John Kirby addressed the press today, providing updates on the current situation with Iran. Kirby emphasized that the United States is not seeking war or military conflict with Iran. He made it clear that the recent attack over the weekend was an escalation and requires a response, but the administration is not looking to escalate the situation further.
When asked about potential attacks inside Iran, Kirby stated that he would not get ahead of the President's decision-making and did not confirm whether striking inside Iran was on the table. However, he reiterated that the administration's assessment has been that Iran also does not want a direct war with the United States.
Kirby acknowledged that Iran does support various proxy groups known to carry out attacks, but he did not provide details on the extent to which Iran directly orders and directs these groups. He highlighted that the administration has taken action in the past to hold these groups accountable and has imposed hundreds of sanctions on entities associated with Iran.
Regarding the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) controversy, Kirby noted that Israel has provided information linking 13 employees to a recent attack. However, he stated that he has not seen any information suggesting a wider involvement beyond these 13 individuals. Kirby emphasized the importance of a thorough and transparent investigation into the matter, considering UNRWA's significant workforce and not tarnishing the reputation of the entire agency based on the actions of a few employees.
Kirby ended the briefing by expressing the expectation that the UNRWA investigation will be credible and transparent, as both the UN Secretary General and the UNRWA staff Commissioner General have indicated their commitment to taking the matter seriously. The administration will closely monitor the investigation's progress.
Overall, the briefing underscored the administration's stance of not seeking war or military conflict with Iran while acknowledging the need for a response to the recent escalations. The emphasis was on holding Iran accountable for supporting proxy groups and conducting a thorough investigation into the UNRWA controversy. The spokesperson refrained from speculating on any potential future actions or intelligence matters, emphasizing the importance of transparency and credibility throughout the process.
