US Warns Iran Of 'Serious Consequences' If It Conducts Direct Military Attack On Israel

The United States on Tuesday warned Iran of ‘serious consequences’ should it launch a direct military attack on Israel in response to their attacks on the Tehran-backed militant group Hezbollah. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin further extended support to Israel’s ‘right to defend’ itself.

Speaking to Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, the Pentagon chief also offered support for “dismantling attack infrastructure” along the border with Lebanon, after Israel launched “targeted ground raids” on Hezbollah.

Austin reaffirmed the position shared by the White House that a “diplomatic resolution is required” to ensure civilian safety on both sides of the border. “I reiterated the serious consequences for Iran in the event Iran chooses to launch a direct military attack against Israel,” he said in a statement posted to social network X after speaking with Gallant.

“We agreed on the necessity of dismantling attack infrastructure along the border to ensure that Lebanese Hezbollah cannot conduct October 7-style attacks on Israel’s northern communities,” Austin added.

“The United States is well-postured to defend US personnel, partners, and allies in the face of threats from Iran and Iran-backed terrorist organizations and determined to prevent any actor from exploiting tensions or expanding the conflict,” he added.

‘Battle Not Over’: Israel

Despite international calls for de-escalation, Israel vowed to keep fighting against Hezbollah. Gallant had warned earlier that Israel’s military action in Lebanon ‘was not over’ even after an Israeli strike killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Friday, dealing a devastating blow to the militant group.

Indicating that warfare was far from over, Hezbollah’s deputy leader Naim Qassem, in his first televised speech since Nasrallah’s death, also vowed to continue their fight against Israel. The group has said in a statement they “targeted” Israeli troops in orchards near the Lebanese border.

Israel Begins ‘Ground Raids’

The Israeli military on Tuesday said that its troops have started “targeted ground raids” in villages of southern Lebanon. The attacks backed by airstrikes and artillery began “a few hours ago” and are targeting militant group Hezbollah “in villages close to the border” with Israel, a military statement said.

“The IDF began limited, localised, and targeted ground raids based on precise intelligence against Hezbollah terrorist targets and infrastructure in southern Lebanon,” Israel’s military said in a statement.

IDF will be carrying out “a methodical plan set out by the General Staff and the Northern Command, which soldiers have trained and prepared for in recent months”, the Jerusalem Post informed.

Israel ‘Eliminates’ Nasrallah

The recent escalation between both countries comes after the Israeli military ‘eliminated’ Iran-backed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike in Lebonon’s Beirut on Friday night.

A Lebanese security official said Israel had also conducted at least six strikes on south Beirut after Israel’s army ordered residents in the Hezbollah stronghold to evacuate, reported AFP.

Lebanon’s health ministry said 95 people had been killed and 172 injured in fresh Israeli strikes across the country on Monday. The government added that one million people – a fifth of the population – have fled their homes.