In response to recent statements by Iran regime’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, John Kirby, the coordinator of strategic communications in the National Security Council of the White House, emphasized that if Iran’s regime seeks to reduce tensions in the region, it must cease its support for proxy groups.
During an interview with ‘ABC News,’ Amir-Abdollahian had expressed concerns about the possibility of a broader conflict in the region. When questioned about these statements, John Kirby stated, “if the Iranian government is concerned about escalation, then the best thing they could do would be to cut off the support that they give to groups like Hamas and Hezbollah and these Iran-backed militia groups in Iraq and Syria.”
Highlighting the U.S. stance, Kirby reinforced, “We don’t want to see conflict escalate. We don’t want to see some broader war. We’re not looking for a war or a conflict with anybody. We’re actually trying to de-escalate.
“And if the Iranians are serious about that and they want to de-escalate, well, we would welcome them stopping this support.”
Amir-Abdollahian, in his interview, linked the recent conflict in Gaza to an increased risk of a wider war in the region. The Iranian regime refers to proxy groups in the Middle East as ‘resistance groups.’
Notably, proxy groups supported by Iran’s regime have carried out operations against American forces in Syria and Iraq amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. While the mullahs’ regime considers these groups as part of the “resistance,” the U.S. and some Western countries designate them as terrorist organizations.
In a concerning development, Houthi militias in Yemen, backed by Iran’s regime, warned shipping companies in December that cooperation with Israel would lead to attacks in the Red Sea. Subsequently, the Houthis targeted commercial ships, prompting retaliatory actions by the international coalition against their positions in Yemen.
Addressing the situation, Amir-Abdollahian asserted that the West should not view the actions of these groups as a threat to regional stability when they are “supporting Palestine.” Meanwhile, he criticized U.S. support for Israel, suggesting a continuation of tensions in the already volatile region. The statements underscore the complexity of regional dynamics and the challenges in finding a path toward de-escalation.
In addition to John Kirby’s comments on Iran, Vedant Patel, Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, has strongly condemned the Iranian regime’s use of the death penalty as a means to suppress individuals exercising their fundamental human rights. Expressing deep concern over widespread reports of torture, forced confessions, and limitations on legal representation, Patel emphasized that such practices erode the credibility of decisions made by Iranian courts.
In reaffirming the United States’ commitment to supporting the people of Iran, Patel highlighted both visible and covert actions undertaken in collaboration with regional allies and partners. The U.S. remains steadfast in holding the Iranian regime accountable for its oppressive actions, demonstrating a clear track record of addressing malign activities.
Patel underscored the global recognition of Iran’s undemocratic and nontransparent political system, encompassing administrative, judicial, and electoral processes. With skepticism about the upcoming parliamentary elections, he pointed to the disqualification of thousands of candidates in November through what the U.S. perceives as an opaque process. Such actions align with the regime’s historical pattern of suppressing dissent to maintain power.
In characterizing Iran as an adversary, Patel emphasized its role as the world’s largest exporter of terrorism and a consistent violator of human rights. The U.S. remains resolute in its approach toward Iran, acknowledging its destabilizing behavior not only in the Middle East but also on a global scale.
