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The New York Times: In recent days, the Biden administration has become increasingly worried that Israel’s enemies may try to expand the war with Hamas. And then the U.S. would be forced to enter the conflict directly, using the Air Force and Navy. The administration is trying to use diplomatic and military means to prevent that from happening. Over the weekend, the Pentagon sent a second aircraft carrier and additional ground-based combat aircraft to the region. Washington has sent messages to Iran through intermediaries in Qatar, Oman and China that escalation is unacceptable. Some experts believe the danger of the conflict escalating remains frighteningly possible. Martin Indyk, a former ambassador to Israel and special envoy for the Middle East, puts the chances of a wider war as 50-50.
An Iranian close to the government said a decision on opening a new front against Israel has not yet been made. According to two people familiar with Iran’s military plans, Tehran’s proxy militias in the region have been put on high alert since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, as have Tehran’s own armed forces. According to the interlocutors, Iran itself has no plans to attack Israel unless it is attacked. However, leaders of the so-called resistance axis backed by Tehran are debating whether to go to war with Hezbollah. The final decision, they say, may depend on what happens if Israeli ground troops enter Gaza.
The entire article can be read at the link https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/15/us/politics/us-israel.html?searchResultPosition=2
