Former CIA Director Leon Panetta described last week’s deadly explosions in Lebanon involving pagers as an act of “terrorism.”

“There’s no doubt it’s a form of terrorism,” Panetta stated during an interview on “CBS News Sunday Morning.” He further explained, “This attack is targeting the supply chain, and when terrorism disrupts supply lines, people are left wondering: ‘What’s coming next?’”

The explosions, which involved pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah, resulted in the deaths of dozens and injured thousands. Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group supported by Iran, has accused Israel’s Mossad of orchestrating the attack.

“This tactic has significant consequences, and we still don’t fully understand what those will be,” Panetta told CBS. He noted, “The forces driving war are largely in control right now.”

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken clarified that the United States was neither involved in nor informed about the explosions beforehand. “We’ve made it clear that all parties should avoid actions that could escalate the conflict, particularly in Gaza,” Blinken said last week.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, however, announced that Israel’s military was entering a “new phase” in its 11-month-long conflict with Hezbollah. Israel also conducted targeted strikes in Beirut, reportedly killing senior Hezbollah commanders.

During his interview, Panetta warned that the Middle East risks becoming the “battlefield of the future” and called for global intervention. “World nations must have a serious conversation about this region,” Panetta said. “If they don’t address it now, it will undoubtedly become the battlefield of tomorrow.”