The United States has issued a caution that an intensification of the conflict between Israel and Hamas may open the door to direct involvement by Iran.
In an interview with the BBC’s American affiliate, CBS News, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan expressed concerns about the potential creation of a new theater of conflict on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon.
“We can’t rule out that Iran would choose to get directly engaged some way. We have to prepare for every possible contingency,” he said.
Incidents of cross-border gunfire have occurred involving Israeli forces, Palestinian militant groups, and the Iranian-backed militia group Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.