General CQ Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has issued a warning to Iran, urging them to refrain from involvement in Hamas’s assault on Israel.
This caution came as the United States and its allies endeavor to prevent the deadly conflict from spreading further.
Over the weekend, Hamas fighters launched a surprise attack that resulted in the deaths of over 900 individuals in Israel, including at least 260 at a crowded music festival, marking one of the country’s most devastating civilian massacres.
In response, the U.S. has taken actions such as sending additional munitions to Israel and positioning Navy warships nearer to the region to demonstrate its support.
General Brown addressed reporters on Monday, emphasizing that the recent decision to move a carrier strike group and military aircraft closer to Israel was primarily intended to deter Iran.
U.S. officials are preparing for an extended conflict and have made significant efforts to dissuade Israel’s adversaries from exploiting the unrest triggered by the attacks.
“Our force posture movements are not only in support of Israel but also aimed at deterring any other entities that might choose to assist Hamas in this specific conflict with Israel,” stated General Brown, marking his first public remarks as the United States’ top general since assuming the role last week.
He is traveling to Brussels for a meeting involving nearly 50 nations supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
“We want to convey a clear message. We do not want this conflict to escalate, and it is crucial for Iran to understand this message,” he added.
While American officials lack direct evidence to support reports of Iran’s involvement in planning Hamas’s attack, they have noted that Tehran is the group’s primary supporter, providing it with weapons and training. There are also concerns that Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah could become more directly engaged, potentially expanding the war.