US Warns Israel About Attacking Lebanon and Possible Iranian Intervention

Two American officials and one Israeli official told the American website Axios on Thursday, June 7, that the Biden administration has warned the Israeli government in recent weeks about a "limited war" in Lebanon, stating that such conflicts could prompt the Islamic Republic of Iran to intervene. Hezbollah, established in the early 1980s with financial and military support from Tehran during Israel's occupation of Lebanon, has launched multiple attacks against Israeli territory since the onset of the war in Gaza. Speculation about the possibility of the Islamic Republic becoming involved in the war between Israel and Hezbollah has intensified as the head of Iran's Foreign Ministry announced on Monday, June 3, before his first official diplomatic trip following the death of former Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a helicopter crash, that he would travel to Lebanon for discussions with "Lebanese officials and resistance leaders about ways to confront Israel." Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the US State Department, stated on Thursday: "We continue to strive for a diplomatic solution. We do not seek to escalate tensions, as it would only lead to more deaths of Israelis and Lebanese, and would significantly harm Israel's security and regional stability." Two days prior, Mr. Miller had said: "We have heard that Israeli leaders prefer a diplomatic solution. Clearly, we prefer that solution." Hezbollah, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the US, claims it welcomes any agreement that benefits Lebanon but insists that discussions cannot take place until Israel halts its attacks on Gaza. The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, occurring alongside the Gaza war, has escalated in recent days, raising concerns about a broader confrontation between the parties. Benjamin Netanyahu, during a visit to the "Hero" military camp on the country's border with Lebanon on Wednesday, stated that Israel is prepared for a "very strong" action in the north. The Israeli Prime Minister further remarked that anyone who thinks they can harm us while we sit idly by is making a grave mistake. Last February, France proposed to the Lebanese government a request for Hezbollah forces to withdraw to a distance of 10 kilometers from the border with Israel and to initiate negotiations aimed at resolving disputes over the land border between Lebanon and Israel. Lebanon considers the Shebaa Farms, which are occupied by Israel, as its territory. Disputes between the two sides over maritime borders were unexpectedly resolved in 2022 through an agreement mediated by American diplomat Amos Hochstein.