Pentagon head says war between Israel and Hezbollah unlikely

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says the Pentagon does not “see an all-out conflict between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah” breaking out.

Austin is asked at a press conference about US strikes on Iran-backed groups enflaming the region.

“Our goal is to make sure that we contain this crisis in Gaza and that we prevent things from spreading to a wider conflict. There’s a lot of activity in the region, but there’s always been a lot of activity in the region,” he says.

He says that management of tensions between Israel and Hezbollah “has been artfully done.”

“We don’t see Israel engaged in a conflict with other countries in the region,” he adds. “We are not at war with Iran.”

Nonetheless, he says the Middle East is at a “dangerous moment.”

Austin also confirms plans for a “multi-tiered” response to a deadly attack on US troops, saying the US can strike multiple times if needed.