Top U.S. general says risk of broader war eases a bit after Israel-Hezbollah exchange

The near-term risk of a broader war in the Middle East has eased somewhat after Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah exchanged fire without further escalation, America's top general told Reuters on Monday while cautioning that Iran still poses a significant danger as it weighs a strike on Israel.

Air Force General Charles Q. Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke to Reuters after emerging from a three-day trip to the Middle East that saw him fly into Israel just hours after Hezbollah launched hundreds of missiles into Israel in retaliation for the killing of its commander Fouad Shokor last month, and Israel's military struck Lebanon to thwart a larger attack.

Brown noted Hezbollah's strike was just one of two major threatened attacks against Israel that emerged in recent weeks. Iran is also threatening an attack over the killing of a Hamas leader in Tehran last month.

Asked if the immediate risk of a regional war had declined, Brown said, "Somewhat, yes."

"You had two things you knew were going to happen. One's already happened. Now it depends on how the second is going to play out," Brown said while flying out of Israel. "How Iran responds will dictate how Israel responds, which will dictate whether there is going to be a broader conflict or not."

Iran has vowed a severe response to the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, which took place as he visited Tehran late last month and which it blamed on Israel. Israel has neither confirmed or denied its involvement.

Brown said whatever plans Iran's military might have, it would be up to Iran's political leaders to make a decision. "They want to do something that sends a message but they also, I think ... don't want to do something that's going to create a broader conflict."

Brown also cautioned that there was also the risk posed by Iran's militant allies in places such as Iraq, Syria and Jordan who have attacked U.S. troops as well as Yemen's Houthis, who have targeted Red Sea shipping and even fired drones at Israel.