Global Geopolitical Series: U.S. Defense Secretary warns of possible conflict between Israel and Iran

According to U.S. Defense Secretary that a direct conflict between Iran and Israel is increasingly likely. The warning came on Thursday when Mr. Mattis was addressing a panel of congressional lawmakers. He said it seems very likely from his perspective as according to him, Iran continues to do its proxy work in the region through Hezbollah. In recent times, both Iran and Israel has stepped up war rhetoric as Israel increased its military strikes in Syria on Iranian military outposts. Speaking to lawmakers, Mattis stressed that he can foresee how the conflict might start but not sure of when and where.

While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israeli Defense Force stands ready to repeal any attack against the country, Iran has warned Israel not to rely on its air force as its bases are in the range of Iranian missiles.

The comments came as Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman visiting Washington. According to reports, Mr. Liberman met with the U.S. president Donald Trump’s national security advisor John Bolton, his special represented for Middle East negotiations Jason Greenblatt; and his son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, at the White House before holding a meeting with Mr. Mattis at Pentagon.