ABOARD A US MILITARY AIRCRAFT: The immediate risk of a larger conflict in the Middle East has diminished slightly following recent exchanges of fire between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah. However, Iran remains a significant threat as it contemplates a possible strike on Israel, according to Air Force General C.Q. Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Speaking to Reuters after a three-day Middle East trip, General Brown reported that Hezbollah’s recent rocket and drone attacks on Israel, and Israel’s retaliatory strikes on Lebanon, have not escalated further. Despite one of the most intense clashes in over ten months of border conflict, the situation remains relatively contained.
Brown highlighted that Hezbollah’s attack was just one of two major threats to Israel. The other involves Iran, which has also threatened retaliation for the recent killing of a Hamas leader in Tehran.
Brown acknowledged that while the immediate risk of a regional war has somewhat decreased, the situation remains volatile. “How Iran responds will influence Israel’s actions, which could determine whether the conflict broadens,” he said.
Additionally, Brown noted the risk posed by Iran’s allies in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan, who have previously targeted US troops, as well as Yemen’s Houthis, who have engaged in attacks on Red Sea shipping and Israel.
Iran has vowed severe retaliation for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, an incident Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in.
On the defensive front, Brown stated that the U.S. military is now better positioned to support Israel and its forces in the Middle East compared to April 13, when Iran launched a significant attack involving drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. The U.S. has since bolstered its presence in the region, including maintaining two aircraft carrier strike groups and additional F-22 fighter jets.
Brown noted that Iran’s future actions will depend on political decisions rather than military capabilities alone. He added that while Iran may seek to send a message, it is also cautious about sparking a broader conflict.
The Biden administration is working to manage the fallout from the ongoing war in Gaza, which has caused significant destruction and loss of life. Brown’s visit included meetings with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, where he was briefed on the threats along Israel’s borders.
Despite recent strikes by Israel, Brown cautioned that Hezbollah still possesses significant military capability. The conflict in Gaza, now in its 11th month, has led to widespread devastation, displacing nearly all of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents and resulting in significant casualties and suffering.
