Escalating Tensions: Iran-Hezbollah Conflict Looms over Israel

Despite US optimism, Israel and Iran remain on high alert following the exchange of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, raising concerns over a potential wider conflict.

Concerns over an all-out war between Israel, Hezbollah, and Iran have eased somewhat, according to comments made by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. on Monday, but statements issued by Jerusalem and Tehran suggest otherwise.

Brown met with top Israeli officials in Tel Aviv to discuss ongoing security issues just one day after the Israel Defense Forces and Hezbollah exchanged fire on Sunday, during which hundreds of rockets and drones were fired by the terrorist group at northern Israeli military positions.

Escalating Tensions: Iran-Hezbollah Conflict Looms over Israel

Jerusalem said it too had fired a series of strikes on Hezbollah strongholds after 100 warplanes took to the sky to preemptively hit thousands of rocket launchers reportedly positioned to fire upon Israel.

Despite the heavy fire that was exchanged, relatively few deaths were reported, with three Hezbollah militants and one Israeli soldier killed in the day's events.

Escalating Tensions: Iran-Hezbollah Conflict Looms over Israel

When asked if the threat of a large-scale war between Israel and Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, had abated, Brown replied, "Somewhat, yes."

However, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah said the Sunday operation was ordered in response to the killing of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr at the end of July.

Escalating Tensions: Iran-Hezbollah Conflict Looms over Israel

But the terror group and Iran have pledged retaliation for one other killing that also occurred late last month when Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated while visiting Tehran, though Israel has never claimed credit for the attack.

Brown emphasized that how Iran responds will determine Israel's response, which will in turn dictate whether there is going to be a broader conflict or not.

Escalating Tensions: Iran-Hezbollah Conflict Looms over Israel

Iran's chief of staff of the armed forces warned that "revenge against the Israeli entity is inevitable" following the death of Haniyeh.

Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that "Iran's aggression has reached an all-time high" and said Israel and the U.S. must expand their joint defenses.

Escalating Tensions: Iran-Hezbollah Conflict Looms over Israel

Gallant also highlighted the threat Iran poses in its continued pursuit of developing nuclear capabilities, adding that Jerusalem and Washington must work to stop Tehran's military from gaining nuclear weapons.

On Tuesday, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said there were no "barriers" in communicating with the "enemy," which some news outlets interpreted as a potential signal that Tehran may once again engage in nuclear talks with the West.

Escalating Tensions: Iran-Hezbollah Conflict Looms over Israel

While any new deal with Iran appears unlikely, another "historic" deal between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia may be on the horizon, the U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia said Monday.

The agreement would encompass several issues like bolstering the strategic partnership between Washington and Riyadh, enhancing military agreements, and strengthening economic ties. It also includes efforts to normalize ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel.

Escalating Tensions: Iran-Hezbollah Conflict Looms over Israel

The U.S. supports the establishment of a two-state solution when it comes to stopping the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly made it clear he does not support Palestinian statehood.