White House: Sending a "Strong" Deterrence Message to Iran Amid Concerns of Escalating Conflict in the Middle East

   The White House stated on Monday that the United States is working on sending a "strong" deterrence message to Iran, as fears of a broader regional conflict mount.

John Kirby, the coordinator of strategic communications at the U.S. National Security Council, remarked, "We will certainly, if we have to, continue to protect our forces and our facilities. We've demonstrated that we will strike and act to do that, and this is a strong message that Iran needs to take seriously."

Kirby added, "We take these responsibilities seriously."

He further affirmed, "We also take our national security interests in the region very seriously, and that's why the president has now deployed two carrier strike groups."

The U.S. official emphasized, "We have to make sure we're sending a signal to all parties, not just Iran, but all parties, including Iran, that we will take our national security interests seriously. We will protect our forces, and we will defend them. And we will do so at the right time and in the manner that we determine."

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi had stated on Sunday that Israel had "crossed red lines" and warned that it "may compel everyone to move."

Concerns have arisen that Israel's military campaign in Gaza could open up additional fronts.

There has already been an exchange of fire on the border between northern Israel and southern Lebanon, separate from the fighting between Israel and Hamas in the south, centered around Gaza.

However, the escalating clashes with Hezbollah have raised concerns that the powerful Lebanese quasi-military group might actively engage in the conflict.

This comes as U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had previously warned of a "growing risk" of the war spreading into a broader conflict in the Middle East.