Iran warns US of retaliation if Israel storms southern Lebanon ridge

Live Blog Update| War on Iran 3 September 2026 10:53 BST Iran has warned Washington that it will launch a major retaliatory attack if Israel mounts a full-scale offensive on the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, three officials briefed on the message told Reuters. Tehran delivered the warning through Oman in mid-August, according to two regional officials. A third official said US pressure prompted Israel to postpone an assault on the strategically important ridge. More than a dozen members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including at least two senior officers, are sheltering there alongside Hezbollah fighters, two officials said. Hezbollah neither confirmed nor denied their presence. Israeli forces occupy territory south of Ali al-Taher and have designated the ridge a “primary operational focus”. Israel has attempted to besiege those inside and intercept drones delivering food and water, according to an official familiar with the situation. Hezbollah said it still controlled the hill and would confront any Israeli advance. “Iran considers any Israeli move on the ground in southern Lebanon, especially territorial expansion, a major violation of the Islamabad Agreement,” its media office said, referring to the June US-Iran memorandum that included a Lebanon ceasefire. Israel has continued attacking the area despite the ceasefire. The White House rejected the account of Iran’s warning, saying: “this is not accurate.”