Washington, January 30: US President Barack Obama's national security adviser is citing a heightened risk that Iran will respond to growing pressure over its nuclear program by stoking violence against Israel.
The adviser, retired Marine Gen. James Jones, said history shows that when regimes are feeling pressure they can lash out through surrogates.
He said that in Iran's case that would mean facilitating attacks on Israel through Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. Iran helps arm Hezbollah and Hamas.
Jones also alluded to the prospect of additional international sanctions being applied to Iran as one factor in making Iran feel greater pressure.
He said another factor is internal pressure, an apparent reference to street protests against the Iranian leadership over the disputed presidential election June 12.
-------Agencies
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