Report: U.S. Tells Iran Israel Does Not Plan to Escalate in Lebanon

The United States has told Iran that Israel is not expected to intensify its strikes in Lebanon, even after four fighters were killed overnight by Hezbollah fire, CNN reported Friday afternoon. According to a source familiar with the matter, Hezbollah violated the ceasefire, but Israel is prepared to let that stand, and that message was passed to the Iranians.

The same source said, “Hezbollah has violated the ceasefire, but Israel is prepared to go over it, and that has gone to the Iranians. Now Hezbollah needs to stop.” The report said this matches the current Israeli posture, with the IDF not planning to escalate attacks or bomb Beirut, and the Home Front Command not expected to change its instructions.

The article recalled that the last time Israel bombed Beirut, Iran threatened to strike Israel with missiles but later backed down, and hours later President Donald Trump announced that an understanding on a memorandum of principles had been reached.

Earlier Friday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “My instruction is clear: Israel will not tolerate attacks on our soldiers or our territory, and it will exact a very heavy price from Hezbollah for these attacks. The IDF will act to thwart any threat to our forces and our territory. As I made absolutely clear, including yesterday, Israel will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon as long as necessary to protect the communities in the north.”