A senior U.S. official warned Wednesday against the dangerous repercussions of a possible war between the United States and Iran, the National News Agency reported.

Sailors stand on deck above a hole the U.S. Navy says was made by a limpet mine on the damaged Panama-flagged, Japanese owned oil tanker Kokuka Courageous, anchored off Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, during a trip organized by the Navy for journalists, Wednesday, June 19, 2019. [Photo: IC]

"Any confrontation between Iran and the United States will be considered as an existential battle for Iran and we do not know what will be its impact on Lebanon and countries in the region," said Mara Karlin, former deputy assistant secretary of defense for strategy and force development.

Karlin's remarks came during a discussion session held in Bikfaya, Mount of Lebanon, to highlight challenges facing U.S.-Lebanese relations.

Karlin said that the United States has waged a war against Afghanistan in 2001 and it is still incapable of putting an end to its repercussions.

"What if a war erupts between U.S. and Iran? What would be its repercussions?" she asked.

Karlin said that U.S. President Donald Trump is willing to negotiate with Iran but there is no such atmosphere in the U.S. or among America's allies in the Gulf.