WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)– U.S. officials are trying to tamp down concerns about a broader war in the Middle East following Israel’s assassination of top leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah.
Both terror groups are proxies of Iran, and members of Congress worry this will complicate already delicate negotiations to end the war in Gaza.
“We don’t believe that an escalation is inevitable,” Spokesperson for the National Security Council, John Kirby said during Wednesday’s White House briefing.
Kirby said these latest developments do not automatically trigger a regional war, especially as ceasefire talks continue there for the Israel-Hamas war.
“It’s too soon to know what any of these reported events could mean,” he said.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken remains hopeful a deal is possible.
“I’m not going to speculate on what impact any one event may have on that,” Blinken said. “What I do know is the enduring imperative of getting a ceasefire.”
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country “will exact a very heavy price from any aggression… on any front.”
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned against any escalation.
“We don’t want to see any of that happen,” Austin said. “We’re going to work hard to make sure that we’re doing things to help take the temperature down and address issues through diplomatic means.”
Members of Congress were a lot more candid about the assassinations Israel is taking credit for and their larger ramifications.
“I’m glad that he is gone,” said U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, (R-Mo.), of the Hamas leader. “I’m glad he’s no longer in command.”
Hawley said Hamas has to be dismantled.
“They’ll just wait for another opportunity, and it’ll be another attempted genocide against Israel,” he said. “Israel has got to be able to defend its own borders.”
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, (R-S.C.), said the U.S. has to hold Iran accountable for Hamas and Hezbollah, and should target its oil refineries.
“Without those refineries, they would not be able to fund terrorism,” Graham said.
Graham also warned Iran could be responsible for a nuclear arms race in the region, saying it could now have a weapon ready in a matter of weeks.
“Iran will keep going until someone tells them to stop,” he said.
On Wednesday, Graham introduced an authorization for use of military force against Iran if the president determines that Iran is on the cusp of possessing a nuclear weapon.
