Biden says Iran could skip attacking Israel if Gaza deal reached

NEW ORLEANS - US President Joe Biden, asked if he expected Iran to skip a retaliatory strike on Israel if a Gaza ceasefire deal was reached, said on Tuesday: "That’s my expectation."

Biden spoke to reporters after arriving in New Orleans. His comment came after Reuters, citing three senior Iranian officials, reported that only a ceasefire deal stemming from possible talks this week would hold Iran back from direct retaliation against Israel.

US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said on Tuesday that the overall US goal in the Middle East is to "turn the temperature down," deter and defend against any future attacks, and avoid regional conflict.

"That starts with finalizing a deal for an immediate ceasefire with hostage release in Gaza. We need to get this over the finish line," she told a UN Security Council meeting on the war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas in Gaza.