NYT: US Threatens Iran And Hezbollah With War

The Biden administration sent a message.

The administration of US President Joe Biden has sent messages to Iran and Lebanese Hezbollah threatening military intervention if they attack Israel. This is reported by the New York Times, citing State Department officials.

"Attacks, threats from militants associated with Iran are completely unacceptable," said Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.

A US Navy destroyer has already shot down cruise missiles fired from Yemen at Israel, Blinken said. US warplanes have also carried out a number of strikes on facilities used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its allies in Syria.

"We don't seek conflict with Iran - we've made that very clear - but we will do whatever is necessary to protect our personnel, whether military or civilian," he said.

The US Secretary of State visited the West Bank and Iraq over the weekend. One purpose of his visit was to prevent the conflict from spreading in the region, another was to discuss the future of Gaza after the destruction of Hamas.

On Friday 3 November, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah threatened to open a new front against Israel. He said the group had been fighting almost daily along the Lebanon-Israel border since the start of the war. Nasrallah believes that the US is "responsible for what is happening in Gaza" and that Israel is "just a tool" used by Washington DC.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Hezbollah in a televised speech not to open a second front: "Don't test us. A mistake will cost you a lot - more than you can even imagine".

If Hezbollah decides to open a second front, Israel will attack Iran, among others, the country's Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat warned earlier. "Israel has a very clear message for our enemies. We are telling them: look at what is happening in Gaza - you will be treated the same way if you attack us," he said.