Iran Warns US of Large Scale Retaliation Over Israeli Operations in South Lebanon

Iran has warned the United States that it would respond forcefully to an Israeli offensive on the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon. According to three officials briefed on the message, Tehran threatened a large scale attack if Israel launched a full scale offensive on the mountainous area. The warning, delivered in mid August via Oman, highlights Iran's direct involvement in the region as the conflict enters its seventh month.

Lebanese security sources believe Hezbollah has established an underground command center and weapons stores on the ridge, which provides a panoramic view of southeastern Lebanon. Two regional officials stated that more than a dozen members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, including at least two senior officers, are positioned there with Hezbollah fighters. Hezbollah's media office did not confirm the presence of Iranian forces but called the warning a natural conclusion. The group stated that any Israeli territorial expansion in southern Lebanon would violate the Islamabad Agreement, a June memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran that included a ceasefire in Lebanon.

The Israeli military has identified the ridge as a primary operational focus and has occupied territory to its south. While some sources suggest US pressure led Israel to postpone storming the ridge, a White House official told Reuters that this is not accurate. The Israeli military declined to comment on the warning. However, reports from the Israeli newspaper Maariv cite military sources assessing that no IRGC forces are present on the ridge and that some Hezbollah fighters may have died there without food or water.

Israeli forces have reported that Hezbollah continues to operate around the ridge, including the recent launch of explosive drones. Military officials stated they have attempted to smoke out personnel by besieging the facility and shooting down drone deliveries of food and water. This follows a June incident where Iran fired missiles at Israel in retaliation for attacks on Hezbollah near Beirut.