Israel sends tougher warnings to Lebanon over Hezbollah's role with Iran

Israel sends tougher warnings to Lebanon over Hezbollah's role with Iran
People stand next to the UN vehicles in southern Lebanon, as seen from northern Israel, 8 January, 2026
Reuters

Israel has sharply escalated its warnings to Lebanon amid rising regional tensions linked to Iran, according to a report by the Lebanese newspaper Nida Al Watan.

The paper said international intermediaries have recently travelled to Beirut to deliver what were described as clear and unequivocal messages from Israel to Lebanon’s leadership. The warnings reportedly focus on the risk of wider conflict if tensions involving Iran intensify.

A Lebanese political source quoted in the report said Israel has drawn a firm red line over any involvement by Hezbollah in a potential confrontation with Iran.

According to the source, Israel warned that Hezbollah’s participation in such a conflict would trigger a large-scale and highly destructive military response.

The messages were said to have been delivered exclusively to Lebanon’s key decision-making centres, underscoring their seriousness and the intent to ensure authorities fully grasp the consequences of any escalation.

The report comes as regional tensions rise, with growing concern that potential conflict involving Iran could spill over into neighbouring countries through allied armed groups, including Hezbollah.

Israel has repeatedly warned that it would hold Lebanon responsible for actions launched from its territory.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said the U.S. may meet Iranian officials and was in contact with the opposition, as he weighed a range of strong responses including military options to a violent crackdown on Iranian protests which pose one of the biggest challenges to clerical rule since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

"We are ready for war but also for dialogue," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Monday in a briefing to foreign ambassadors in Tehran via English translation.

Trump has warned Iran's leaders that the United States would attack if security forces open fire on protesters.

However, Araqchi said that the situation in Iran is "under total control" after violence linked to protests spiked over the weekend.

He added Trump's warning against Tehran of action should protests turn bloody had motivated "terrorists" to target protesters and security forces in order to invite foreign intervention.

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