Blinken says U.S. seeks diplomatic response 'to prevent escalation' after Iran launched attack on Israel

After Iran launched an attack on Israel with over 300 drones and missiles over the weekend, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. is pursuing "a diplomatic response to seek to prevent escalation" in the region.

Video Transcript

ANTONY BLINKEN: Over the weekend, as you know, Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones against Israel. This was an attack unprecedented in its scope and in its scale. In its scope because it represented the first direct attack by Iran on Israel. And its scale, because as I said, there were more than 300 munitions fired, including ballistic missiles, as well as land attack cruise missiles and drones.

Thanks to Israeli air defenses, as well as support from other countries, including US military assets, virtually all of the incoming projectiles were destroyed and shot down. As President Biden underscored to Prime Minister Netanyahu, the US is committed to Israel's defense. And I think what this weekend demonstrated is that Israel did not have to and does not have to defend itself alone when it is the victim of an aggression, the victim of an attack.

In the 36 hours since, we have been coordinating a diplomatic response to seek to prevent escalation. Strength and wisdom need to be the same sides-- the different sides of the same coin. I've been in close communication with counterparts in the region and we will continue to do so in the hours and days ahead. We don't seek escalation, but we'll continue to support the defense of Israel and to protect our personnel in the region.