Washington: In response to recent developments, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed concerns regarding reported offensive operations involving Israel and Iran. Blinken emphasized that the United States has not been engaged in any offensive operations, stressing on the nation's commitment to de-escalating tensions in the region.

Speaking on behalf of the G7, Blinken reiterated the focus on de-escalation efforts, as reflected in their recent discussions and statements. He emphasized the importance of working collaboratively to reduce tensions and promote stability.

Earlier reports had indicated that the US received advance notification of a planned Israeli strike on Iran, scheduled for the coming days. However, Blinken clarified that while the US was informed of the intended strike, it did not endorse the action. This statement highlights the United States' stance of neutrality in the matter and its commitment to diplomatic solutions to mitigate tensions.

"We’re committed to Israel’s security. We’re also committed to de-escalating -- to trying to bring this tension to a close," Blinken said during a news conference at the conclusion of the group's meeting in Capri, Italy, hours after a US official told CNN that Israel had launched a military strike on Iran.

He also said the countries shared "a commitment to hold Iran to account."

Blinken said the nations condemned Iran's weekend strikes on Israel. He called those attacks "unprecedented in scope and scale; scope because it was a direct attack on Israel from Iran, scale because it involved more than 300 munitions including ballistic missiles."

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Bengaluru, May 2: Karnataka Congress MLA Raju Kage's remarks regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's successor have drawn sharp criticism from the opposition BJP in the state.

Addressing a campaign meeting in Mamadapur village in Belagavi district, Kage said, "I too have the confidence about running the country ably. If Modi dies, will no one become the prime minister of the country? Is there no other person to become prime minister among the 140 crore population? Youngsters these days say only Modi, Modi..."

Everyone wants Congress leaders like -- Laxman Savadi, Raju Kage, Satish Jarkiholi (all Congress MLAs) locally -- but want Modi at the Centre, the Kagwad MLA said on Tuesday. "There is no question of Modi. Will Modi come here to listen to your issues or us?"

Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra sharply reacting to Kage's remarks, asked, "Why does Congress desire Narendra Modi ji's death?"

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In a post on 'X' on Thursday, he said, "Congress MLA Raju Kage has only outspoken the destructive mindset of Rahul Gandhi and Congress, who have a history of grabbing power based on the deaths of many innocent lives, like vultures ready to pounce on the deaths of precious lives."

Vijayendra questioned Congress whether it desires Modi's death because he abrogated Article 370 and "saved" Kashmir, because he fulfilled the dream of hundreds of years by building Ram Mandir in the birthplace of Shri Ram, because he eradicated the terrorism and saved the nation from terrorists, because he built a strong nation economically, ranking India 5th globally, among others.

"The BJP, not based on individuals but on principles and ideologies, has grown into a massive political tree, based on the nationalistic ideals and nurtured by the hard work of our Patriotic Karyakarthas....Modi has strengthened the nation and established himself as a great leader and a competent administrator.

"People of this country have resolved to make him the PM again and want his continued leadership for Bharath," he said.

What else can be expected from Congress, who is unable to tolerate this and out of sheer desperation, is resorting to foreboding of ill and wishing bad for the PM, the BJP chief further said, adding, vicious minds can only speak vile and Congress MLA Raju Khage with this mindset has only spoken Congress ideology ill-boding about the PM.

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