Israeli Ambassador Claims US Stance in Middle East Deters Iran

The Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Michael Herzog, has indicated that the United States’ strong military presence in the Middle East has deterred Iran from launching an immediate attack against Israel, despite rising tensions that suggest the potential for an all-out conflict.

During an appearance on CBS News’s “Face the Nation,” Herzog stated, “I think the Iranians are contemplating an attack on Israel, but decided for now to put it on hold.” He attributed this pause to what he described as clear deterrent messages from both Israel and the U.S., along with a robust American military posture in the region. This posture, he asserted, sends a clear message that Iran can indeed be deterred.

As part of these heightened military preparations, the U.S. has deployed approximately 40,000 service members to the Central Command region in the Middle East. Earlier this month, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered a guided missile submarine to the area and instructed the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to proceed to the region more swiftly in response to escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.

Concerns about an impending broader conflict have intensified following the recent killings of key figures associated with Hamas and Hezbollah. The suspected assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and the killing of a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut have raised alarms among U.S. and allied officials about an all-out war emerging from these events.

Iran has been vocal about its intention to retaliate against Israel for Haniyeh’s death, though Israel has not claimed responsibility for the incident. Despite ongoing speculation and threats, Tehran has not yet executed any military action against Israel.

Herzog expressed skepticism regarding the notion that Iran is actively seeking a war, stating, “I don’t believe Iran is interested in escalation.” However, he did acknowledge the potential for miscalculations in the region. Herzog referenced the planned visit of Air Force General Charles Q. Brown Jr. to Israel, highlighting it as an effort to maintain stability amid rising tensions. He emphasized that the U.S. military presence in the area plays a significant role in deterring Iranian aggression.

These statements came on the same day as Israel conducted a series of airstrikes in Lebanon, described by the Israeli military as a preemptive measure against Hezbollah. This response followed a Hezbollah attack on Israeli military positions, which was in retaliation for the death of Fuad Shukr, the group’s top military commander, in a strike in Beirut last month. Shukr was notably close to Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

This exchange represented one of the most significant escalations in hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel in nearly a year, which raises concerns about a further escalation of the conflict in the region. Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, triggered by an attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, Hezbollah has engaged in various attacks on Israeli forces. Reports indicate that there have been daily exchanges of fire between the two, further complicating the regional security landscape.

Amidst these tensions, efforts to broker a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages appear to have faltered. Last week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to the Middle East in a bid to facilitate negotiations, but returned without solid agreements as the fundamental issues between Israel and Hamas remained unresolved.

As the situation develops, the threat of miscalculation and escalation looms large, heightening the urgency for diplomatic efforts and dialogue aimed at averting a broader conflict in the already volatile region.

Source: Nexstar Media, Inc.