CIA: Israel Considers Be Careful Counterattacks On Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (black clothes)/PHOTO via Instagram @b.netanyahu

CIA Director William Burns said the accidental risk of escalation in the Middle East appears to be a very real danger, although the US thinks Iran or Israel don't want a massive conflict.

"Israel is considering very carefully how they will respond to the latest Iranian ballistic missile attack," Burns said at a national security conference on Sea Island, Georgia, reported by CNN, Tuesday, October 8.

"I think we are all very aware of the consequences of the various forms of strikes and their impact on the global energy market and the global economy," he added.

US President Joe Biden said last week he would not support Israel to attack Iran's nuclear facilities, but it was unclear whether the US had persuaded Israel to cancel the option.

Meanwhile, the market is also nervous because of the possibility that Israel chose to attack oil facilities in Iran.

The biggest risk of escalation, said Burns, comes from a "error of judgment."

Regarding Iran, Burns argues, the supreme leader remains the main decision maker. The CIA has not detected any dramatic changes in this regard.

Burns also hopes that a successful agreement can be reached between Israel and Hamas which can result in the release of the surviving hostages.

"We've almost achieved it at least a few times, but it's very difficult to achieve," he said.