Iran Reportedly Orders Hezbollah to Prepare for Imminent Regional Conflict

Iran has allegedly instructed Hezbollah to significantly increase its military alert level in anticipation of an imminent regional conflict, according to Lebanese security and military sources speaking to Erem News. The Shiite organization has reportedly begun reorganizing its forces and preparing a new combat framework designed to allow continued operations even if its leadership is targeted by Israeli strikes. Sources indicate that Hezbollah is recalling its permanent, paid members and assigning them to new, confidential locations. These preparations are said to be part of close coordination between Iran's Revolutionary Guards and their regional allies, aiming to anticipate a potential escalation of conflict involving Israel and the United States, with plans for simultaneous military responses reportedly under consideration. The sources emphasized that this is not a definitive decision to enter war, but rather preparation for an increasingly plausible scenario.

A key development involves Hezbollah adopting Iran's "mosaic defense" doctrine. This strategy focuses on decentralized command, enabling military units to act autonomously if communications are disrupted or key leaders are eliminated. This approach appears to be a response to significant losses suffered during Israeli operations, which exposed the vulnerability of Hezbollah's centralized command structure. Iran is reportedly directly overseeing this reorganization, in addition to its financial and arms support, aiming to ensure its allies can continue fighting even if Iranian command centers are struck. The goal is to prevent the collapse of its entire regional network if its leaders are eliminated.

While this new strategy doesn't necessarily imply superior military capabilities, it suggests Hezbollah is seeking to utilize its remaining resources differently. These revelations coincide with increasingly stern warnings from Israel. Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on Wednesday during a visit to Lebanon that if Hezbollah joins an Iranian attack on Israel, it would face heavy losses and could see territories in southern Lebanon, specifically the Nabatiyeh and Litani regions, annexed into a permanent Israeli security zone. Lebanese sources suggest Hezbollah faces a dilemma: demonstrating its deterrent capability while avoiding dragging Lebanon into another war.