**US Vice President Kamala Harris Labels Iran as America's Primary Adversary Amid Missile Tensions**

In a recent interview with CBS, US Vice President Kamala Harris emphatically identified Iran as the foremost adversary of the United States, attributing this stance to the recent ballistic missile attack by Tehran on Israel. Highlighting Iran's threat, Harris noted the incident involving 200 ballistic missiles as a primary example of Iran's antagonism towards the US and its allies.

"Iran has American blood on their hands - this attack on Israel, 200 ballistic missiles,” Harris emphasized. She further underscored that one of her highest priorities is to ensure Iran is never empowered with nuclear capabilities. Harris's strong remarks reveal an ongoing strategic shift with the Middle East once again coming to the forefront of US foreign policy amidst the escalating conflict in Gaza.

The attack, claimed by Iran as retaliation for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and the assassination of Hezbollah's Hassan Nasrallah alongside an Iranian general in Beirut, has strained US-Iran relations further. These comments from Harris stand in contrast to the recent trends in US foreign policy, which had primarily been focused on the strategic competition with China and, more recently, responding to Russia's invasion of Ukraine with military and financial support for Kyiv.

With rising tensions in the Middle East, the Biden administration is once again faced with addressing hostilities between Iran and Israel. When questioned about the possibility of using military force to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, Harris refrained from discussing hypothetical scenarios. Despite Iran's denial of seeking nuclear arms, advancement in their nuclear program continues to be a major concern for the US.

The situation tracks back to 2018 when former President Donald Trump withdrew from the multilateral deal aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions. Although President Joe Biden aimed to revive the accord, attempts through indirect talks have been unsuccessful. Consequently, the Biden administration maintained and expanded sanctions against Iran, amidst a backdrop of increasing animosities.

The outbreak of the Gaza conflict added fuel to the fire. Following the death of Haniyeh in an attack attributed to Israel, the Biden administration did not clarify whether Iran had a right to retaliate. Iran’s missile response last week elicited strong condemnation from US officials, with threats of severe consequences echoing from Washington.

Harris unequivocally denounced Iran’s actions, asserting, "Iran is a destabilizing, dangerous force in the Middle East, and today's attack on Israel only further demonstrates that fact." As tensions linger, Harris reaffirmed her commitment to continuing support for Israel, alluding to the persistent threat posed by Iran.