Could America be drawn in? A series of violent events have taken place across the Middle East since the new year began. Some worry about the chance of a bigger war.
Iran attacks heighten fears of a wider war
Could America be drawn in? A series of violent events have taken place across the Middle East since the new year began. Some worry about the chance of a bigger war.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">What's happening? </h2>
It has been an unhappy New Year in the Middle EastThe lands around the east of the Mediterranean Sea and Arabia. . The war between IsraelA country in the Middle East, and the only Jewish nation in the modern period. It is seen by Jews, Christians and Muslims as the Holy Land. and HamasA militant Palestinian organisation, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007. It is listed as a terrorist organisation in the UK. is still happening. And other countries risk being dragged in.
On Wednesday, two bombs killed dozens of people in IranA country in Western Asia, officially called the Islamic Republic of Iran. It has a population of 84 million. at a memorial serviceA service to remember the life of somebody who has died. for a general.
On Tuesday night, deputy Hamas chief Saleh al-Arouri was killed in an Israeli drone strike in LebanonA small country on the eastern Mediterranean coast that has been in the grip of an economic crisis for over a year. It has a native population of just 4.7 million, but migrants and refugees have brought its total population up to almost 7 million.. He was in land controlled by a group called HezbollahA militant organisation based in Lebanon, classified in the UK as a terrorist group. It has made direct attacks on Israel and is believed to have been responsible for assassinating Lebanon's former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri., which supports Hamas.
And in the Red SeaA seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean. To its right is Saudi Arabia, to its left the coast of north Africa., YemenThe poorest country in the Gulf region is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis. 's HouthiThe Houthis represent a Shia Muslim minority, but have won support from other Yemenis dissatisfied with the government. rebels have fired missiles at cargoGoods that are being transported. ships.
World leaders fear that there could be more violence in the Middle East. The conflictA state of disagreement when there is a difference of interests, values or goals. between Hezbollah in Lebanon and Israel could grow. The USA could go into battle with the Houthis. And any single sudden event could spark different groups to join in.
But there are also many reasons why armed groups and countries might want to avoidKeep away from something. a bigger war. If there is war in the Red Sea, it could shut the Suez CanalAn artificial channel that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the the Red Sea. It is a key trade route for goods between Europe and Asia. , which might lead to shortages worldwide. If people in Lebanon suffer due to war, Hezbollah may lose some of its power. And although Iran supports Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, it may hold back if it thinks war will cost the country too much.
Could America be drawn in?
Yes! America does not want to be drawn in, but if its soldiers in the Middle East are attacked, some say they will have no choice.
No! Nobody wants a larger war in the Middle East. It would not really be good for any group or country. Over time, the chance of war will get smaller and smaller.
Middle East - The lands around the east of the Mediterranean Sea and Arabia.
Israel - A country in the Middle East, and the only Jewish nation in the modern period. It is seen by Jews, Christians and Muslims as the Holy Land.
Hamas - A militant Palestinian organisation, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007. It is listed as a terrorist organisation in the UK.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">Find out more </h2>
Iran - A country in Western Asia, officially called the Islamic Republic of Iran. It has a population of 84 million.
Memorial service - A service to remember the life of somebody who has died.
Lebanon - A small country on the eastern Mediterranean coast that has been in the grip of an economic crisis for over a year. It has a native population of just 4.7 million, but migrants and refugees have brought its total population up to almost 7 million.
Hezbollah - A militant organisation based in Lebanon, classified in the UK as a terrorist group. It has made direct attacks on Israel and is believed to have been responsible for assassinating Lebanon's former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri.
Red Sea - A seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean. To its right is Saudi Arabia, to its left the coast of north Africa.
Yemen - The poorest country in the Gulf region is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis.
Houthi - The Houthis represent a Shia Muslim minority, but have won support from other Yemenis dissatisfied with the government.
Cargo - Goods that are being transported.
Conflict - A state of disagreement when there is a difference of interests, values or goals.
Avoid - Keep away from something.
Suez Canal - An artificial channel that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the the Red Sea. It is a key trade route for goods between Europe and Asia.
Iran attacks heighten fears of a wider war

Glossary
Middle East - The lands around the east of the Mediterranean Sea and Arabia.
Israel - A country in the Middle East, and the only Jewish nation in the modern period. It is seen by Jews, Christians and Muslims as the Holy Land.
Hamas - A militant Palestinian organisation, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007. It is listed as a terrorist organisation in the UK.
Iran - A country in Western Asia, officially called the Islamic Republic of Iran. It has a population of 84 million.
Memorial service - A service to remember the life of somebody who has died.
Lebanon - A small country on the eastern Mediterranean coast that has been in the grip of an economic crisis for over a year. It has a native population of just 4.7 million, but migrants and refugees have brought its total population up to almost 7 million.
Hezbollah - A militant organisation based in Lebanon, classified in the UK as a terrorist group. It has made direct attacks on Israel and is believed to have been responsible for assassinating Lebanon's former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri.
Red Sea - A seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean. To its right is Saudi Arabia, to its left the coast of north Africa.
Yemen - The poorest country in the Gulf region is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis.
Houthi - The Houthis represent a Shia Muslim minority, but have won support from other Yemenis dissatisfied with the government.
Cargo - Goods that are being transported.
Conflict - A state of disagreement when there is a difference of interests, values or goals.
Avoid - Keep away from something.
Suez Canal - An artificial channel that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the the Red Sea. It is a key trade route for goods between Europe and Asia.