Iran Warns US of Strong Retaliation for Israeli Attack on Lebanon Site

Iran has warned the United States that it will "respond forcefully" to any Israeli attack on Jabal Ali Al-Taher in southern Lebanon, according to a Reuters report. Iranian military personnel and Hezbollah fighters are reportedly entrenched in the area. This message, conveyed last month, underscores Iran's direct and ongoing involvement in the conflict and its readiness to retaliate against Israeli strikes, six months after the outbreak of hostilities.

Lebanese security sources indicate that Hezbollah has established an underground command center and weapons depots within the Jabal Ali Al-Taher mountain range, which overlooks southeastern Lebanon and has become a focal point of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. This development follows reports earlier this week that two initiatives aimed at resolving the southern Lebanon crisis have failed, increasing the likelihood of a significant Israeli operation against Hezbollah infrastructure in the area.

The first failed initiative involved a U.S. attempt to open direct dialogue with Hezbollah, facilitated by mediators from Turkey and Qatar. This effort reportedly stalled due to Iranian directives. The second initiative, led by Lebanese President and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, aimed to persuade Hezbollah to transfer control of the mountain range to the Lebanese army. However, this also faced Israeli opposition, stemming from concerns that it would not lead to the dismantling of Hezbollah's infrastructure.