Iran’s mission to the United Nations issued a stark warning on Friday, stating that if Israel engages in “full-scale military aggression” in Lebanon against Hezbollah, it would lead to “an obliterating war.” This declaration came in the wake of Israel Defense Force (IDF) attacks on Hezbollah positions following the terror group’s recent barrage on northern Israel. Tensions have been rising on the Lebanese border, with fears of a broader conflict intensifying.
On Friday, the Iranian UN mission took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to assert that should Israel initiate a war against Hezbollah, “all options, including the full involvement of all resistance fronts, are on the table.” This statement underscores the potential for a regional escalation involving multiple militant groups aligned with Iran.
Responding to the threat, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz stated on Saturday, also on X, that Israel would act decisively if Hezbollah did not cease its attacks and withdraw from southern Lebanon. “If Hezbollah does not cease its fire and withdraw from southern Lebanon, we will act against it with full force until security is restored and residents can return to their homes,” Katz declared. He further warned, “A regime that threatens destruction deserves to be destroyed.”
The conflict traces back to October 7, when Hamas-led terrorists launched an unprecedented assault on southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. This attack, which sparked the current war in Gaza, also saw other groups within Iran’s “Axis of Resistance”—including Hezbollah, Hamas, Yemen’s Houthis, and various factions in Syria and Iraq—targeting Israel. In an alarming development, Iran itself launched a missile-and-drone strike on Israel on April 14, although most of the attack was repelled by Israeli and allied defenses.
Following the October 7 massacre, Israel evacuated much of its northern region, anticipating potential similar attacks from Hezbollah. Currently, around 60,000 residents of northern Israel remain displaced as the country seeks to neutralize the Hezbollah threat along its northern border. Diplomatic efforts, led primarily by the United States, have so far failed to compel Hezbollah to retreat beyond the Litani River, as mandated by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which concluded the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
The situation remains volatile, with a U.S. official recently noting that the risk of war is higher than it has been in weeks. According to the official, a significant attack from either side could trigger a full-scale war with little warning. Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, has escalated the rhetoric, threatening widespread retaliation in case of war and warning that “no place” in Israel would be spared from their weapons. He also targeted Cyprus for its cooperation with Israel and hinted at threats to Israel’s offshore gas installations.
Despite the escalating threats, Israeli leaders have expressed a preference for a diplomatic resolution. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, addressing troops at an Iron Dome air defense battery in northern Israel, emphasized that Israel is “not looking for war” but is prepared to respond militarily if necessary. He stressed the importance of preparing both military and political alternatives, stating, “[We are] preparing the military force… and this can happen quickly. On the other hand, the political alternative is being prepared, it is always better.”
As tensions between Israel and Hezbollah continue to mount, the region remains on edge, bracing for potential conflict while diplomatic efforts struggle to contain the crisis.
