Recently, Israeli officials have warned of the possibility that the United States could become involved in the Middle East conflict if Iran and Hezbollah decide to officially join forces with the Palestinian group Hamas.
The fear of direct American involvement in the Middle East has been a looming threat ever since the first allegations that Iran was secretly developing a nuclear weapons program. The United States has long been wary of Iran’s growing power in the region and has taken steps to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear capability.
However, recently an Israeli official has suggested that the US could be drawn in to the conflict if Hezbollah and Iran officially extend their support to Hamas in its ongoing war with Israel. The official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity, said the potential threat posed by such an alliance is serious and must be taken into consideration.
The official’s comments come after the recent series of airstrikes on Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip, which was widely seen as an attempt by Israel to weaken the group’s control of the area. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said that the airstrikes were an element of the country’s “active defense” and that the targets were related to military operations of Hamas.
The possibility of American involvement in the Middle East is a frightening prospect for both Israel and the United States. While the official’s comments suggest that such a conflict is by no means imminent, they do show the high levels of fear that exist regarding the potential consequences of a growing Iranian and Hezbollah presence in the region.
At present, it is unclear how the United States would respond if Iran and Hezbollah were to openly join forces with Hamas. However, one thing is clear: the potential for direct United States involvement in the Middle East conflict is growing by the day. As the conflict continues to worsen, it remains to be seen how the United States will choose to respond.