Israeli source says Iranian officers are directing fighting in southern Lebanon
An Israeli security source told the Saudi network Al Arabiya that several Iranian officers are holding key roles in managing the fighting and coordinating operational activity on the Lebanese front in southern Lebanon. The source said their presence has made the area especially important to Tehran in recent weeks, and argued that one major reason Iran has pushed to stop the ground operation there was concern for the officers’ lives, as well as fear that Israeli forces could reach or arrest some of them if the ground advance continued.
In a separate interview with Walla, a senior IDF officer said the Iranian presence is another reason the area matters so much to Hezbollah and the Shiite axis. He said Hezbollah has in that sector, because of its unique terrain and control of the area, “strategic assets built by the Iranians” and added, “After we destroy them, we will be able to show them.” He also said the site has “very significant headquarters-related and firepower capabilities,” and that they must be destroyed so Israel can say it has removed a direct threat from the Finger of the Galilee, which is why troops moved there.
Earlier, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun received phone calls from U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, senior U.S. presidential adviser Jared Kushner, and Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman. Lebanese media said the calls focused on establishing a ceasefire in Lebanon, halting the Israeli military escalation, and the steps needed for that purpose, including the possibility of setting up a dedicated body for the effort.
Also earlier, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said a new mechanism had been created with the mediators to monitor the end of the war in Lebanon. He added that there had been good progress on issuing permits for oil sales and releasing frozen assets, and said an understanding had been reached in Switzerland on important steps to open negotiations toward a final agreement, including allowing oil exports and unfreezing Iran’s assets.
