Biden-Harris admin says ceasefire only way to ease Middle East tensions as Iran takes aim at Israel

President Joe Biden's administration is frantically seeking to get a ceasefire in Gaza and spoke with the leaders of Qatar and Egypt Tuesday to seek support for a proposal, Reuters reported.

However, that possibility looks increasingly remote given recent events. Iran has promised to retaliate for the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was making an official visit to Iran at the time of his death. Israel targeted and killed a Hezbollah commander in Beirut as well.

Secretary of State Anthony Blinken was meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Tuesday. He told media, “We are engaged in intense diplomacy, pretty much around the clock, with a very simple message — all parties must refrain from escalation." But Blinken noted that escalation is exactly what’s happening and will continue to happen as adds that without a ceasefire deal in Gaza, crises will continue to flare up.

"It’s also critical that we break this cycle by reaching a ceasefire in Gaza,” Blinken said, adding that a ceasefire “will unlock possibilities for more enduring calm, not only in Gaza itself, but in other areas where the conflict could spread.”

“What it really comes down to, really, is all parties finding ways to come to an agreement, not look for reasons to delay or to say no,” Blinken told reporters. “It is urgent that all parties make the right choices in the hours and days ahead.”