By Al-Fassel | 2024-04-17

The Iranian regime's attempts to increase tension in the Middle East have been exposed following its unprecedented attack against Israel over the weekend.

In response to the April 1 air strike in Damascus, Syria, that killed several Iranian military officials, including Brig. Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force (IRGC-QF) in Syria and Lebanon, more than 300 drones and missiles were launched towards Israel from Iranian soil.

This marks the most significant escalation of the regional conflict since Hamas launched its October 7 attack on Israel, and is the first time Iran has launched a direct attack on Israel from its own territory.

Iran's threats to escalate the security situation have been made clear, with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi reiterating on Wednesday (April 17) recent threats of a "strong and fierce response" to the "tiniest attack" by Israel.

Igniting a war at present threatens to spin the situation in the Middle East out of control, the United States warns.

"Iran's reckless actions pose a threat to populations in Israel and other UN member states in the region, including Jordan and Iraq," said the representative for the United States at an April 14 emergency United Nations Security Council meeting.

"If Iran or its proxies take actions against the United States or further action against Israel, Iran will be held responsible," he said.

Such actions will expose the Iranian regime and its proxies to military strikes that may target Iran or leaders of armed militias supported by Tehran, according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM).

Depending on what transpires, the situation could turn into a wider war in which the United States will participate if its interests are threatened, it said.

"US forces in the region are on high alert, and any further attempts to attack the United States' forces, its allies or its interests may result in US military measures against Iran and its proxies in the Middle East," CENTCOM said.