Iran warns US against Israeli offensive on Hezbollah-held Lebanon ridge - report
Hezbollah is believed to have built an underground command center and weapons stores within the Ali al-Taher ridge, which offers a commanding view of southeastern Lebanon
Iran has warned the United States that it would launch a large-scale attack if Israel mounts a full offensive on the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, Reuters reports. According to three officials briefed on the message, Iranian military personnel are believed to be positioned alongside Hezbollah fighters in the region.
The warning, delivered in August, underscores Iran's continued direct involvement in ground fighting in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah is believed to have built an underground command center and weapons stores within the ridge, which offers a commanding view of southeastern Lebanon and has become one of the most contested areas in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
Hezbollah has publicly said it controls the ridge and will confront any Israeli advance, referring to a "facility" there without providing further details. Israel's military has occupied territory south of the ridge and identified it as one of its "primary operational focuses."
Two regional officials briefed by Tehran told Reuters that the message was delivered via Oman, which has served as a mediator. They also said that more than a dozen Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps members, including at least two senior officers, were positioned alongside Hezbollah fighters at the ridge.
A third official said it was delivered around mid-August and that US pressure had led Israel to delay storming the ridge. A White House official disputed the account, saying "this is not accurate."
According to Israeli newspaper Maariv, citing a military source, Israel assesses no IRGC forces remain at the ridge and that some Hezbollah fighters have died from lack of supplies. Israel has been reportedly attempting to besiege the site, shooting down drone deliveries of food and water in an effort to render it "uninhabitable."
Despite Iran's warning, a Lebanese source and a senior Lebanese security official said an Israeli operation to capture the ridge remains possible in the coming weeks. Hezbollah has said any large-scale assault on Ali al-Taher would mark a return to full-scale war and could result in missile strikes on northern Israeli communities.