Israel to Escalate Lebanon Conflict After Failing to 'Break Iran's Deterrence': Max Blumenthal

Israel will continue trying to escalate the conflict in Lebanon after failing to “break Iran’s deterrence,” Max Blumenthal, editor-in-chief of The Grayzone, has said. Israeli officials have criticized the memorandum of understanding signed by Washington and Tehran on June 17, arguing that it does not serve the Jewish state’s interests. Meanwhile, the IDF has continued striking what it describes as Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, in violation of the MOU’s terms, risking the fragile deal. “Israel cannot do anything without US firepower, and the US was not willing to commit the amount of men and materiel to do what Israel needed,” Blumenthal said in an interview with Going Underground host Afshin Rattansi, aired on Sunday. Israel was “completely unable to break Iran’s deterrence” and proved vulnerable to Iranian counterattacks, he added. “They’re going to focus on Lebanon, continue to seek to escalate in Lebanon,” Blumenthal said. According to Blumenthal, Israel will also target dissenting voices in the US through the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC, paid influencers, “or through some other more nefarious means.” Watch the full interview below: