US Secretary of State Antony Blinken testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on March 22, 2023 in Washington.
Kevin Dietsch | Getty Images News | Getty Images
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday that it was not clear that Iran had any involvement in the Hamas attack on Israel over the weekend.
Iran is a long-time supporter of Hamas, the group designated by the US as a terrorist organization, whose attack on Saturday left at least 250 in Israel dead.
“We have not seen evidence that Iran directed or was behind this particular attack, but there is certainly a long relationship,” Blinken said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
Smoke billows after Palestinians responded to Israeli airstrikes with rockets from Gaza, in Gaza City, Gaza on May 10, 2023.
Ali Jadallah | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images
Some Republican leaders pointed to Iran as the cause of the attack. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) later told CNN that “we know Iran is behind this” but did not specify whether he was referring to specific information on this weekend’s attack or the historical support. only of the country to Hamas in general.
One area of criticism of Blinken and the Biden administration is the $6 billion the US agreed to unfreeze Iran in September to be used only for humanitarian purposes as part of a detainee swap. However, Blinken said on Sunday that none of the $6 billion released to Iran had been spent.
Blinken also said the US is working to verify reports that Americans have been killed or missing in the attacks. He added that there could be news about requests for more aid for Israel from the US later on Sunday.
Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system intercepts rockets launched from Gaza City, on May 10, 2023.
Mohammed Abed | AFP | Getty Images
Israel has since criticized Hamas, including for strikes on Gaza, and the country’s Security Cabinet has officially approved a “state of war.” Developments over the weekend raised concerns that the conflict could expand to include other groups in the Middle East.
Blinken said there had been “limited firing” between Lebanon-based Hezbollah and Israel but “so far, that’s been quiet, but it’s something we’re keeping a close eye on.”
“Our first focus is to make sure that Israel has what it needs to deal with the situation in Gaza. … At the same time, President Biden has been very clear in sending a message to anyone in any other place that might try take advantage of this situation, not in,” said Blinken.
