Iran warned the United States that it will respond forcefully if Israel attempts to attack the Ali al-Tahar ridge complex in southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah operatives are reportedly besieged, per a report by Reuters on Thursday.
Iran warned the United States on Thursday that it will respond forcefully if Israel attempts to attack the Ali al-Tahar ridge complex in southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah operatives are reportedly besieged, according to a Reuters report. The warning, directed at Washington, broadens Tehran's deterrent equation beyond Israel alone. It follows an earlier direct threat to Israel issued earlier today, escalating the rhetorical campaign over the strategic underground facility.
At 10:31 Jerusalem on Thursday, Iran delivered a direct warning to Israel against operating on the ridge, as The Zioneer reported. The desk later detailed at 14:23 Jerusalem that the warning was conveyed via Oman and that high-ranking IRGC officers are believed to be trapped alongside Hezbollah operatives in a fortified underground complex under prolonged IDF siege. The latest US-directed threat builds on a series of Iranian ultimatums in recent weeks: on June 12, Iran warned Pakistan of a direct strike on Israel; on June 14, the Supreme National Security Council warned of imminent retaliation; on June 16, a direct strike was threatened; on June 20, a missile strike was threatened; and on June 23, Iran warned via the United Nations that any violation of the memorandum of understanding would provoke a response.
The Ali al-Tahar ridge has been a focus of IDF operations targeting Hezbollah infrastructure. The Zioneer has reported extensively on the prolonged siege of the underground complex, where Hezbollah fighters and Iranian personnel are believed to be entrenched. These warnings reflect Tehran's effort to expand its deterrent umbrella, attempting to involve Washington directly in the equation.
It remains unclear whether Iran has the capability or willingness to act on its threats, and no independent verification of the operational status of the ridge complex has emerged.
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