Iran threatens ‘obliterating war’ on Israel if Lebanon hit by full-scale attack

Israel’s military says plans for a Lebanon offensive have been ‘‘approved and validated’

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Smoke billows from an explosion in southern Lebanon following an Israeli bombardment on Friday. Photo: AFP

Published: 9:01pm, 29 Jun 2024Updated: 11:31pm, 29 Jun 2024

Iran warned on Saturday that “all Resistance Fronts”, a grouping of the country and its regional allies, would confront Israel if it attacks Lebanon.

The comment from Iran’s mission to New York comes with fears of a wider regional war involving Israel and Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah movement. The two sides have engaged in near-daily exchanges of fire since the war in Gaza began.

Streaks of smoke are seen as Israel’s anti-missile system intercepts rockets fired from Lebanon on Thursday. Photo: Jini via Xinhua

Such exchanges have escalated this month, alongside bellicose rhetoric from both sides. Israel’s military said plans for a Lebanon offensive had been “approved and validated”, prompting Hezbollah to respond that none of Israel would be spared in a full-blown conflict.

In a post on social media platform X, the Iranian mission said it “deems as psychological warfare the Zionist regime’s propaganda about intending to attack Lebanon”.

But, it added, “should it embark on full-scale military aggression, an obliterating war will ensue. All options, incl. the full involvement of all Resistance Fronts, are on the table.”

The war in Gaza began in October when Hamas Palestinian militants attacked southern Israel.

Iran, which backs Hamas, has praised the attack as a success but has denied any involvement.