Syrian Minister: The Middle East Will Burn If The US Attacks Us

The U.S. is considering a possible strike against Syrian government forces in the wake of a deadly chemical attack, but the country's information minister has warned that such a move would have deadly consequences, YNetnews is reporting.

"A mass of flames will ignite the Middle East," said Omran al-Zoubi, Syria's information minister, in a television interview. He also said that American pressure was "a waste of time" and it would not stop Syria from fighting "against terror."

The Syrian government, which refers to the rebel fighters as terrorists, has said they have "proof" the rebels were behind the Aug. 21 chemical attack.

Damascus hospitals were flooded with thousands of patients after the reported attack that showed "neurotoxic symptoms," according to an international humanitarian organization.

The Pentagon has been planning possible contingencies for intervention as the U.N. continues to investigate the source of the chemical attack. Most believe any attack would be limited in scope.

From NBC News:

"If the president wants to send a message" — most likely with limited airstrikes against a few targets — "we're good at sending messages," one official said. But if the White House wants to topple Syrian President Bashar Assad, "We're not able to do that" without a long-term military commitment, the official said.

The Navy has sent in a fourth warship into the nearby Mediterranean Sea, according to AP. A cruise missile strike seems increasingly likely, as CBS News' Charlie Kaye tweeted Friday:

BREAKING. @CBSNews has learned that the Pentagon is making the initial preparations for a Cruise missile attack on Syrian government forces

— Charlie Kaye (@CharlieKayeCBS) August 23, 2013