The ex-CIA director explained the dangers of escalation between Iran and Israel

Photo:&nbsp ;David Petraeus/Getty Images

Former director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) David Petraeus called Iran's attack on Israel a very big problem.

— This is significant. This is a very big problem. And I think that Israel will have to take certain retaliatory measures— Petraeus is quoted by The Hill.

In his opinion, it is quite understandable that the United States would like to contain the conflict as much as possible.

— The real issue, in addition to Israel's security, concerns freedom of navigation from the Persian Gulf. Or the oil and gas that comes from the Persian Gulf and fuels much of the global economy— he believes.

The American general is convinced that it is in the interests of all countries not to continue the escalation of the situation. He suggested that Iran probably wants to be careful to maintain freedom of navigation in the Persian Gulf.

David Petraeus noted that Iran exports more than 1 million barrels of oil daily through the Persian Gulf.

< p>— This is the biggest problem here. Iran, I think, also wants this to be disrupted because they themselves export about 1.6 or 1.7 million barrels a day. Brent oil prices already exceed $90 per barrel. They would really jump if something interfered with freedom of navigation— said David Petraeus.

The ex-CIA director argues that all parties have an interest in stopping the escalation. However, he noted that it is necessary to observe what Israel decides to do in this case.

Prepared by: Sergey Daga