U.S. Defense Secretary said he did not think a wider war in the Middle East was inevitable and that the United States was seeking to cool rising regional tensions, but remained steadfast in its defence of Israel if attacked.

The remarks by Lloyd Austin come after Israel claimed to have killed the Hezbollah commander who it said was behind a deadly strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. They also follow the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran on Wednesday.

“I don’t think war is inevitable. I maintain that. I think there’s always room and opportunities for diplomacy. What we have seen along the border, northern border, with Israel over time that’s been a concern of ours. Again, we are going to give everything we can to make sure that we keep things from turning in to a broader conflict throughout the region”, - said Austin.

Asked also if he could confirm details about the killing of Haniyeh, he said: “I don’t have any additional information to provide”.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirmed the death of Haniyeh, hours after he attended a swearing in ceremony for Iran’s new president, and said it was investigating. Palestinian militant group Hamas called the strike a “severe escalation” that would not achieve its goals.