Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff warns that Iran would come to Hezbollah’s aid

Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned Sunday that an Israeli invasion of Lebanon against Hezbollah could trigger opposition from Iran, potentially putting U.S. troops in the region at risk.

The comments underscore the Biden administration’s pressure on the Israeli government not to act against Hezbollah as tensions rise in the region amid the Israel-Hamas war.

Brown said Iran “would be more inclined to support Hezbollah,” adding that Iran would likely provide more support to the militants in Lebanon than Hamas “particularly if they felt Hezbollah was being significantly threatened.”

The president spoke to reporters while traveling to Botswana for a meeting of African defense ministers, according to the Associated Press.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that the Israeli offensive in Gaza is “slowing down” but warned that a war against Hezbollah in Lebanon could be on the horizon as border tensions rise.

The prime minister said he hoped a diplomatic solution to the crisis would be found, but promised to resolve the problem “in a different way” if necessary. ″We can fight on several fronts and we are prepared for that,” he said.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was in Washington on Sunday to meet with senior Pentagon officials about the tensions.

In recent weeks, Israeli officials have increasingly warned that a broader conflict with Hezbollah is inevitable. As cross-border bombings have become more intense, Netanyahu warned earlier this month that “one way or another” Israel will “reestablish security in the north.”

White House national security spokesman John Kirby emphasized Thursday that “talks are ongoing” among officials in the region who still hold out hope for a diplomatic solution.

“We don’t want to see a second front open yet,” he told reporters. “Obviously, we take the tensions and rhetoric on both sides seriously. And we are doing everything we can to try to avoid that outcome.”

US envoy Amos Hochstein and the Biden administration have proposed a diplomatic plan to resolve the growing crisis. But this is likely to only be possible after a ceasefire in Gaza. And it is unclear whether Hezbollah would agree to the deal. Israel has threatened to enforce the lines by force if necessary.

Brad Dress contributed.

This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story