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Added on the 13/06/2019 20:42:04 - Copyright : AFPTV - First images
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken tells Gulf Cooperation Council ministers during a meeting in Riyadh that Iran's confrontation with Israel showed the need for greater defence integration. SOUNDBITE
The United States announces sanctions on Iraqi low-cost airline Fly Baghdad, saying it provided assistance to Iran's Revolutionary Guards and proxies, while also targeting leaders of a pro-Iranian Iraq militia for sanctions. US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby tells reporters the sanctions are "designed to protect not only our financial system but our national security." SOUNDBITE
The United States demands that Iran immediately release a ship seized off Oman's coast in avowed retaliation for US actions. "The Iranian government must immediately release the ship and its crew. This unlawful seizure of a commercial vessel is just the latest behavior by Iran or enabled by Iran aimed at disrupting international commerce," State Department spokesman Vedant Patel tells reporters. SOUNDBITE
The United States warns against further escalation in the Middle East after a suspected Israeli attack on a Hamas leader in Lebanon and deadly blasts in Iran. "It is in no one's interest -- not in the interest of any country in the region, not in the interest of any country in the world -- to see this conflict. escalated any further than it already is," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller tells reporters. SOUNDBITE
The United States on Wednesday rejects suggestions that ally Israel or Washington is behind deadly blasts in Iran at the grave of Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani, who was killed four years ago in a US strike. "The United States was not involved in any way, and any suggestion to the contrary is ridiculous," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller tells reporters. SOUNDBITE