Iran warns US of forceful response to any Israeli strike on Lebanon ridge

Iran has warned the United States that it would retaliate forcefully if Israel launches a full-scale offensive on a ridge in southern Lebanon where Iranian military personnel are stationed alongside Hezbollah fighters, according to three officials briefed on the message. The warning, delivered last month via Oman, said over a dozen Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps members, including senior officers, are at the Ali al-Taher ridge, a contested site with an underground command center. The US denied the message's accuracy, while Israel has delayed an assault under American pressure. The ridge is a key Israeli operational focus, with troops besieging the area and targeting drone deliveries. Hezbollah warned a large-scale attack would trigger a return to full-blown war, potentially striking northern Israeli communities.