From the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war nearly 100 days ago, U.S. President Joe Biden and his aides have struggled to keep the war contained, fearful that a regional escalation could quickly draw in U.S. forces.

Now, with the U.S.-led strikes on nearly 30 sites in Yemen on Thursday, there is no longer a question of whether there will be a regional conflict. It has already begun. The biggest questions now are the conflict¡¯s intensity and whether it can be contained.

This is exactly the outcome no one wanted, presumably including Iran.