The United States issued a stern warning to Iran on Tuesday, cautioning that any direct military attack on Israel in response to its strikes on Hezbollah would lead to “serious consequences.”
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reiterated support for Israel’s right to self-defense during discussions with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The Pentagon chief emphasized the importance of dismantling Hezbollah’s attack infrastructure to prevent further assaults on Israel’s northern communities.
The Israeli military reported on Tuesday that its troops had begun “targeted ground raids” in southern Lebanon, focusing on Hezbollah militants near the border. These operations were supported by airstrikes and artillery, according to a military statement.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Austin stated, “I spoke with Israeli Minister of Defence Yoav Gallant today to discuss security developments and Israeli operations. I made it clear that the United States supports Israel’s right to defend itself. 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.”
He warned Iran of “serious consequences” should it choose to launch a direct military attack on Israel, further reinforcing the US’s commitment to supporting its ally in the ongoing conflict.
