Politico: Intelligence Officials Warn; The Threat of Hezbollah Attacking U.S. Interests Even on American Soil is Serious

On Wednesday, U.S. intelligence officials warned about the threat of Hezbollah militants attacking American interests, stating that this group has greater capabilities for attacks even within the United States compared to other terrorist groups like ISIS. Four informed officials told Politico that U.S. intelligence assesses that the risk of Hezbollah militants from Lebanon targeting Americans in the Middle East is increasing. According to the report, Hezbollah may initially target American personnel in the Middle East. U.S. intelligence officials are gathering information about Hezbollah, indicating that they may be considering attacks on American forces or diplomatic personnel abroad. Although intelligence officials refrained from detailing the types of attacks Hezbollah could carry out, they stated that this group, supported by the Islamic Republic, possesses capabilities that other regional terrorist groups do not have. Intelligence experts say that any of these scenarios—an attack within the U.S. or against soldiers and diplomats abroad—would strike a blow to the Biden administration; a blow detrimental to 'preventing the escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict' into a regional war and 'keeping American forces out of war.' While the National Security Council, FBI, and the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center declined to comment on Politico's report, senior Biden administration officials have openly stated since October 7 that they believe the Islamic Republic and its proxy forces are not seeking a broad regional war or confrontation with the United States. Although Hezbollah has avoided major attacks on Israel or American forces since the recent war against Hamas began, the group has a history of targeting Americans and U.S. interests abroad. In 2011 and 2012, two Hezbollah operatives based in the U.S. reportedly monitored American and Israeli targets in Panama and New York City, and the Islamic Jihad organization, which later became part of Hezbollah, attacked the U.S. embassy in Beirut in 1983, killing 63 people. One of these intelligence officials also stated that the U.S. State Department has increased the security level of the U.S. embassy in recent weeks to prevent any attacks on diplomats stationed in Lebanon. Following the October 7 attack by Hamas militants on Israel, Hezbollah and Israeli forces have also engaged each other along the Israel-Lebanon border. In the latest clash, Israel attacked Hezbollah in southern Lebanon on Monday, killing one of its senior commanders. According to Reuters, Hezbollah attacked an Israeli army base with explosive drones on Tuesday. Both Hezbollah and Israel have stated that they do not wish for the conflict to escalate, but they have also promised to continue defending themselves in the event of an attack from the other side. While tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have so far been largely limited to cross-border skirmishes, an American official said there is concern that if Israel does not take further steps to reduce casualties in Gaza, Hezbollah could respond with greater intensity. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a press conference in Doha, Qatar, before heading to Abu Dhabi, 'Right now, there is a significant tension in the region. This is a conflict that could easily flare up and cause more insecurity and suffering.' Senior intelligence officials have warned in recent months about Hezbollah's threats, stating that this group has significant capabilities for carrying out terrorist attacks abroad, and their motivation to attack the U.S. has increased following the 2019 Trump administration attack that led to the killing of Qassem Soleimani. Christopher Wray, the FBI director, said in an interview, 'The arrests of individuals in the U.S. who are alleged to be connected to Hezbollah's main terrorist branch abroad, and their intelligence-gathering and logistical efforts, indicate Hezbollah's interest in potential long-term planned activities in this country.'