Iran Threatens Missile Strike on Israel as Hezbollah Conflict Intensifies: U.S. Warns of Severe Consequences
In a significant escalation of Middle East hostilities, a senior U.S. official has warned that Iran is preparing to launch an imminent ballistic missile strike on Israel, a move that could ignite broader regional conflict. The official, who requested anonymity, stressed that the United States is fully backing Israel’s defensive preparations and issued a stern warning to Iran, vowing “severe consequences” should the attack be carried out.
This revelation comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, the powerful Iran-backed militant group operating in southern Lebanon. Over recent days, Israel has stepped up its military activities along the Lebanese border, ordering the evacuation of nearly two dozen communities and conducting limited ground operations to dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure. Israeli forces have been engaged in what they describe as “targeted and controlled operations” inside Lebanon, with airstrikes and artillery fire pounding Hezbollah positions.
Despite Israeli military reports of successful incursions into Hezbollah territory, the militant group has denied that Israeli forces have crossed into Lebanon. However, Israel’s military has released footage showing soldiers operating inside tunnels and buildings allegedly used by Hezbollah to store weapons. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claim these operations are part of a year-long effort to degrade Hezbollah’s capabilities.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has reached new heights in recent weeks. Israeli airstrikes have targeted key Hezbollah figures, including their leader Hassan Nasrallah, whose death has dealt a significant blow to the organization. Despite these losses, Hezbollah has continued launching retaliatory missile strikes into Israel, with the group vowing to keep fighting and escalating its attacks.
As the conflict continues to unfold, the United States has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Israel. The senior U.S. official emphasized that any missile attack from Iran would result in “severe repercussions,” highlighting the risk of the current conflict spreading beyond Lebanon and Israel to involve other regional powers, including Iran. U.S. military assets have been repositioned in the region, prepared to respond to any further escalation.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military has continued to enforce strict measures across northern Israel, with new restrictions on public gatherings and the closure of beaches due to the heightened threat of rocket attacks. Israeli officials have stated that their military actions are focused on Hezbollah’s positions near the border, rather than a full-scale invasion of Lebanon, but the scope of the conflict remains uncertain.
The ongoing conflict has triggered a growing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, more than 1,000 people have been killed in Israeli strikes, with nearly a quarter of the victims being women and children. Hundreds of thousands of civilians have fled their homes, seeking refuge in other parts of the country or attempting to leave Lebanon altogether. European governments, including the U.K., are organizing evacuation flights for their citizens, with diplomatic staff also being pulled out of the region.
Hezbollah, which boasts tens of thousands of fighters and an arsenal of approximately 150,000 rockets and missiles, has vowed to continue its resistance despite recent losses. The last major ground conflict between Israel and Hezbollah took place in 2006 and ended in a stalemate, with both sides spending the past two decades preparing for another large-scale war. Now, with both nations engaging in escalating hostilities, fears of a full-scale conflict loom large.
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SOURCE: Global News
