Iran Warns Israel Against Beirut Attack, Threatens Middle East War Escalation

Iran has issued a stark warning to Israel against attacking Beirut, threatening that such an action would reignite a major war across the Middle East. Iranian officials declared their armed forces are prepared to respond against Israel with full force if the Lebanese capital comes under assault. The warning comes amid heightened tensions in the region, where Iran-backed Hezbollah operates from Lebanon and has been engaged in cross-border exchanges with Israeli forces. Iran's threat reflects the broader regional proxy conflicts that have intensified since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, with Tehran positioning itself as a defender of its regional allies against Israeli military operations.