Former U.S. official warns of Iranian missile threat
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – A former senior advisor at the U.S. State Department warned on Wednesday that a direct U.S. military intervention in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran could prompt Tehran to use short-range missiles to strike American interests and bases across the region.
In an exclusive statement to North Press, Hazem Al-Ghabra, former State Department advisor, revealed that a high-level National Security Council meeting was held Tuesday with former President Donald Trump, lasting approximately 90 minutes.
During the session, officials presented Trump with both the potential advantages and significant risks of U.S. involvement in the war.
He stressed that the United States remains the only power capable of targeting Iran’s deeply buried nuclear facilities. However, he cautioned that direct American engagement could provide Iran with the pretext to escalate militarily.
“Concerns are growing that Tehran may use short-range missiles to retaliate, especially if Washington joins the conflict directly,” al-Ghabra noted.
On Tuesday, U.S. officials told The Wall Street Journal that no final decision was made during the National Security Council meeting regarding direct action against Iran.
Al-Ghabra said a key question raised in the meeting was: “What is the shortest and most effective path to achieve the shared U.S.-Israeli objective of ending Iran’s nuclear program?”
He added that there is still no full consensus within the administration that a military solution is the optimal path forward.
“In the coming hours—or by tomorrow morning at the latest—we’ll know whether Washington has given Israel the green light to target Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, whether Iran will initiate a diplomatic shift, or whether the U.S. will escalate its role in the war,” al-Ghabra concluded.