Albanese urges de-escalation after Iran's Israel attack amid fears US is losing leverage
There are concerns that Israel's potential response to Iran's rocket attack could plunge the region into all-out war involving the US.
Australia has joined calls for de-escalation in the Middle East after Iran launched the largest missile attack on Israel to date. But there is growing concern among experts that the United States and its allies are losing leverage in the region and may struggle to dampen hostilities.
Asked on Wednesday whether the international community is powerless to do much about the escalating conflict, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese referred to a “very powerful statement” issued by the United States, Australia and other countries last week.
“We signed a declaration calling for a de-escalation, calling for an immediate ceasefire so that Israelis could return to their homes in northern Israel and Lebanese could return home to southern Lebanon,” he told ABC radio.
After mounting friction between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyhu over a ceasefire deal in recent days, the White House vowed “severe consequences” for Iran’s attack which sent more than 200 ballistic missiles into Israel.
