Officials Warn of Potential Escalation in U.S.-Iran Conflict

U.S. and Iranian officials are concerned that a miscalculation amid ongoing tit-for-tat attacks could escalate the conflict in the Middle East, potentially leading to a larger regional war. Iranian-backed militias have launched over 70 rocket and drone attacks against U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria, prompting four rounds of U.S. airstrikes. While none of the reprisal attacks have provoked an escalation so far, there are fears that a combination of miscalculations and each side's belief that the other does not want a larger fight could trigger a regional conflict. The U.S. is closely monitoring Iran and the groups it supports, including Hezbollah, the Houthis, and militias in Iraq and Syria.