ABC News Exclusive: Joint Chiefs chairman says US goal in Red Sea is to deter Iran-backed Houthis

The U.S.-led retaliatory strikes launched against Iranian-backed Houthi militants in the Red Sea are intended to prevent future conflict, and the U.S. does not want to «go down a path of greater escalation,» Gen. CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told ABC News Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz in an exclusive interview.

Brown spoke with Raddatz as the Houthis stepped up their attacks Friday off the shores of Yemen, launching anti-ship ballistic missiles in two separate attacks. One missile hit a British-operated oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden, setting it on fire.

The other missile was shot down by the U.S. Navy destroyer the USS Carney without causing damage.

You can see more of Martha Raddatz' exclusive interview with Joint Chiefs Chairman CQ Brown Sunday on ABC's «This Week.»

Raddatz's exclusive interview with Brown will air Sunday on ABC's «This Week.»

Raddatz asked Brown about suggestions by critics that the Biden administration isn't being tough enough on these militants — or on Iran, which the U.S. accuses of financing the attacks.

Brown, who as chairman is President Joe Biden's top military adviser, responded: «I would also ask, what do they want? A broader conflict? Do you want us on a full-scale war?»

Brown said the goal is deterrence, while protecting U.S. forces.

«We've got to be thoughtful about our approach in these areas, and we can't predict exactly how any one of these groups is going to respond,» he said. «And so we've got to make sure we look at the key partner force protection, but also the ability to take away their capability.

»And we don't want to go down a path of greater escalation that drives to a much broader conflict, within the region," he said.

The Houthis insist the