Blinken urges all sides in Mideast to 'refrain from escalation'

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during calls on Monday urged all sides in the Middle East to avoid "escalation," his spokesman said, as fears grew of an imminent Iranian counterattack on Israel.

"It's important that all parties take steps over the coming days to refrain from escalation and calm tensions," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters, clarifying Blinken's telephone calls in the region.

AFP