Israel Assesses Low Risk of Iran-Hezbollah War Over Strategic Ridge

Israeli security officials assess the risk of war between Israel and Iran, triggered by Hezbollah's actions, as low. They believe Tehran is unlikely to support Hezbollah or launch an attack on Israel due to the situation surrounding the Ali-Taher ridge, according to Channel 12.

Recent Israeli military operations on the Ali-Taher ridge, which included destroying significant tunnel infrastructure and eliminating militants, have led Hezbollah to effectively accept the loss of control over the area. Israeli security sources view the ridge's capture by Israel as a fait accompli.

Reports, which Israeli security sources have denied, claimed Iran had threatened a large-scale strike if Israel launched a full-scale assault on the Ali-Taher ridge. Reuters sources indicated this warning was conveyed via Oman, acting as an intermediary. Another source, a foreign official familiar with the matter, stated the message was received around mid-August, after which Israel, reportedly under U.S. pressure, postponed its operation on the ridge.

The Ali-Taher ridge is considered strategically vital and a key Hezbollah stronghold, alongside sites in Beirut and the Bekaa Valley. Hezbollah had established an extensive underground complex there, comprising over a kilometer of tunnels and bunkers, housing a command center, weapons depots, and rocket launch sites.

Previously, "Cursor" reported that Iran had warned the U.S. of a potential severe response to an IDF operation in the Ali-Taher ridge area, where Israeli forces were reportedly encircling Hezbollah terrorists and Iranian soldiers.