US President Barack Obama's national security adviser on Friday cited a heightened risk that Iran will respond to growing pressure over its nuclear program by stoking violence against .
The adviser, retired Marine Gen. James Jones, said history shows that when regimes are feeling pressure they can lash out through surrogates.
He said that in Iran's case that would mean facilitating attacks on through Hizbullah in and Hamas in . helps arm both terrorist groups.
Jones also alluded to the prospect of additional international sanctions being applied to as one factor in making feel greater pressure.
He said another factor is internal pressure -- an apparent reference to street protests against the Iranian leadership over the disputed presidential election June 12. |