Israel Assesses Low Chance of Iranian Retaliation for Hezbollah Site Destruction
Israel believes Iran is unlikely to retaliate directly for the recent destruction of a Hezbollah underground complex on the Ali Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, despite maintaining a high state of alert. A senior IDF official told i24NEWS that Tehran has "no reason to intervene in what is happening in Lebanon," emphasizing that Israel would respond swiftly and forcefully to any Iranian attack. The Israeli Air Force is prepared for a significant offensive in retaliation.
Several Israeli officials assess that an Iranian response is improbable, citing Tehran's awareness of Israeli military capabilities and its potential desire to avoid broader escalation. Israel has also signaled that it would respond severely to any attacks on its territory, potentially targeting Iranian energy infrastructure.
A security official estimated that the destruction of the Ali Taher complex would likely occur "without a direct response from Tehran," attributing this to Israeli warnings and Iran's reluctance to engage in a confrontation over this specific operation. However, Israel remains prepared for all scenarios, acknowledging that any potential Iranian attack might not be directly linked to the Ali Taher incident.
Israel also stated that the United States was not involved in the decision to destroy the complex. A U.S. State Department spokesperson commented to i24NEWS that Hezbollah's weapons have brought "suffering and destruction" to Lebanon and that the organization hinders peace. Washington is urging the Lebanese government to implement a disarmament plan for Hezbollah throughout the country while continuing diplomatic efforts.
