US, France call for 'utmost restraint' in Middle East

The French and U.S. foreign ministers called on all sides in the Middle East "to exercise the utmost restraint" to prevent a regional conflict, France's foreign ministry said Saturday.

French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne discussed the rising tension in the region by telephone with his U.S. counterpart Antony Blinken, said a ministry spokesman.

"They agreed to continue to call on all parties to exercise the utmost restraint to prevent any regional conflagration that would have devastating consequences for the countries in the region," he added. 

They will also continue their joint efforts for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, the spokesman added.

The meeting comes amid growing concern took place at a time when concerns about a possible military escalation in the Middle East, with Iran and its allies stepping up their threats against Israel.

Iran, the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah blamed Israel for the death in Tehran Wednesday of the leader of the Palestinian Islamist movement, Ismail Haniyeh. 

His assassination came just hours after a strike claimed by Israel killed the Lebanese movement's military chief, Fouad Shukur, on Tuesday evening near Beirut. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country was at a "very high level" of preparation for any scenario, "both defensive and offensive."