Iran could face serious ramifications if it chooses direct military action against Israel, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said on Monday after giving the green light for Israel's ground operations into south Lebanon.
During talks with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, Austin stressed that Washington is "well-postured to defend US personnel, partners, and allies in the face of threats from Iran and Iran-backed terrorist organizations.
“I reiterated the serious consequences for Iran in the event Iran chooses to launch a direct military attack against Israel,” the US official wrote on X.
Iran stated on Monday that it would not send forces to Lebanon or Gaza. Still, it vowed an unspecified response to Israel following massive Israeli airstrikes on Beirut on Friday, which killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Iranian commander Abbas Nilforoushan, and other senior Hezbollah figures. The attack marked the largest strike on Hezbollah's stronghold in nearly a year of conflict.
Israel’s intensified strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen have raised fears that the fighting could escalate, potentially drawing in Iran and the US, Israel’s key ally.
Despite this, Iran has not openly mentioned retaliation. Last week, Axios reported that Hezbollah requested Iran's support for retaliation, but Iranian officials were hesitant, expressing reservations about joining the fight against Israel.
The IRGC announced on Monday that its decisions are grounded in “rationality, and not influenced by the sentiments of social media." The political deputy of the IRGC emphasized, "Some suggest, 'If we had retaliated for the assassination of General Soleimani and Haniyeh, certain events wouldn't have happened,' or 'If we don’t respond, the enemies will take the next step.'"
He added, "While there may be excitement for action, any operation must be approached with rationality, careful consideration, and a thorough analysis of the situation."
The conservative Iranian newspaper Jomhuri Eslami wrote on Tuesday that rejecting the theory of revenge is a precise and logical strategy, as the US aims to expand the war in the region.
The newspaper stated: "At a time when various individuals and factions, through extremist remarks, are trying to push the region toward a full-scale war, prioritizing resistance and rejecting the theory of revenge is a precise strategy."
Still, some conservative media continued to call for retaliation against both Israel and the US. Tehran’s Farhikhtegan newspaper suggested that President Joe Biden could become a "legitimate" target after leaving office, citing the US role in the Israeli assassination of "resistance leaders."