(NewsNation) — What will Iran do? That’s what Israel, the U.S. and much of the world is waiting to find out following Israel’s strike on Iran’s embassy compound in Syria.
“The nature of this Iranian response if going to be very important,” says John Bolton, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
On Friday, hHe told NewsNation’s “On Balance” that Israel crossed an “Iranian red line” by attacking a diplomatic mission, which is de-facto Iranian soil.
“Of course, Iran crosses whatever red lines it wants.”
The other big question is: If Iran does directly attack Israel, what will the U.S. do?
“If there were a direct attack on Israel from Iran, then I think the U.S. would definitely get involved to help protect Israel,” Bolton said.
He also says a proxy attack on northern Israel, mounted by Syria or Hezbollah in Lebanon, is a possibility.
“If Hezbollah fires barrages of missiles or drones that overwhelm Israel’s air defenses, there could be a serious threat and potentially enormous civilian casualties.”
Iran hinted at an attack Friday when Deputy Chief of Staff for Political Affairs Mohammad Jamshidi posted a warning to the U.S. on X.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran warns US leadership not to get dragged in Netanyahu's trap for US: Stay away so you won't get hurt,” he wrote.
A senior Biden administration official told NewsNation that, in response to that warning, the U.S. warned Iran “to not use the strike as a pretext to further escalate in the region or attack U.S. facilities or personnel. The United States fully supports the defense of Israel against threats from Iran.”