The top U.S. military officer has issued a warning about the risks of an Israeli military offensive into Lebanon, which could lead to an Iranian response in support of the Hezbollah militant group. Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, emphasized that Iran would likely increase its backing of Hezbollah if it perceived a significant threat to the group.
Israeli officials have threatened military action in Lebanon if negotiations fail to push Hezbollah away from the border. The U.S. has been working to prevent escalating cross-border attacks from erupting into a full-scale conflict.
Efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict are ongoing, with U.S. officials engaging in talks with Israeli and Lebanese leaders. President Joe Biden's senior adviser recently visited the region to deescalate tensions and underscore the urgency of preventing a larger war.
Gen. Brown highlighted the challenges of defending against Hezbollah's rocket attacks, noting that the U.S. may not be able to provide the same level of support as in previous incidents. He stressed the importance of considering the broader implications of any military operation in Lebanon.
The Pentagon has expressed concerns about the potential for a devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah, which could result in mass civilian casualties. The recent escalation in violence followed an Israeli airstrike that killed a senior Hezbollah military commander, prompting retaliatory attacks from the militant group.
Hezbollah's leader has indicated that the group has significant support from various countries in the region, raising the specter of wider involvement by Iran-backed militant groups. The conflict has already claimed hundreds of lives on both sides and poses a serious threat to regional stability.
