The Islamic Republic Claims Israel's Full-Scale War Against Hezbollah Will Trigger a 'Destructive War'

The permanent representation of the Iranian government at the United Nations warned in a post on social media platform 'X' that if what it termed a 'full-scale military aggression' by Israel against the Hezbollah group in Lebanon occurs, 'a destructive war will take place.' This warning, issued on Friday, July 8, comes amid escalating tensions at the Israel-Lebanon border and following Israeli military attacks on Hezbollah positions in response to attacks by this Iranian proxy group against Israel. According to the warning from the Iranian representation, if Israel initiates a full-scale war against Hezbollah, 'all options, including the full participation of the entire Resistance Front, are on the table.' This representation did not specify what it meant by 'all options.' The groups supported by the Islamic Republic, which Tehran refers to as the 'Resistance Axis,' include Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Houthis in Yemen, and other Shiite groups in Syria and Iraq. Additionally, it is noted that since the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, which resulted in the massacre of 1,200 Israeli citizens and the abduction of over 250 others, these groups have carried out repeated attacks against Israel. The Islamic Republic also launched an unprecedented attack on April 25, firing over 300 suicide drones and missiles toward Israel, most of which were intercepted before entering Israeli airspace by a coalition of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Israel, and Jordan. Shortly after the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas, Hezbollah, as the main proxy arm of the Islamic Republic, began sporadic missile and drone attacks on northern Israel, leading to the evacuation of nearly 60,000 Israeli citizens from areas adjacent to Lebanon. Israel has also conducted multiple attacks in response to this group. So far, U.S. diplomatic efforts to push Hezbollah back beyond the Litani River, 30 kilometers from the Israel-Lebanon border, based on UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah in the summer of 2006, have failed. As tensions rise between Israel and Hezbollah, an American official stated on Thursday, July 7, to Politico that the risk of war has increased compared to previous weeks. According to him, a major attack by either side could trigger an immediate war. Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, threatened on June 20 that in the event of war, no point in all of Israel would be safe from the weapons of his group. He also threatened Cyprus for allowing Israel to conduct military exercises. Nasrallah added that Hezbollah's demand is 'a complete and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.' Meanwhile, Israeli security leaders prefer a diplomatic solution to end the conflicts with Hezbollah but have emphasized that the military is being prepared for a situation where war becomes necessary. Yoav Gallant, Israel's Minister of Defense, stated on Friday during remarks at an Iron Dome air defense site in northern Israel that his country is not seeking war and that a political solution is always better, but the Israeli army is preparing for a war scenario. Reuters reported that the U.S. has delivered over ten thousand highly destructive bombs and thousands of Hellfire missiles to Israel. CENTCOM reported the destruction of seven drones and a ground control station of the Houthis. Europe has sanctioned several individuals and entities for financing Hamas, including a member of the Quds Force among those sanctioned. Concerns are increasing over 'escalating tensions in the region'; Netanyahu accused the Islamic Republic of attempting to 'dominate the Middle East.' The U.S. Embassy in Beirut advised American citizens to reconsider travel to Lebanon due to a complex security environment. Germany and the Netherlands warned their citizens to 'leave Lebanon immediately'; the likelihood of war between Israel and Hezbollah is increasing. The Israeli Defense Minister warned Hezbollah that they could return Lebanon to the 'Stone Age.'