U.S. Ambassador Michel Issa told Lebanon's presidency that Israel would not escalate military action against Lebanon if Beirut refrains from hostile acts, a message delivered after U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. Hezbollah expressed solidarity with Iran but did not confirm involvement, warning that the strikes could affect everyone if left unchallenged. Israel has warned it could target Lebanese civilian infrastructure if Hezbollah joins a U.S.-Iran conflict. Lebanese leaders urged calm and national unity amid mounting regional tension.
U.S. Tells Lebanon: Israel Will Not Escalate If Beirut Avoids Hostile Acts — Regional Tensions Rise
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam speaks to journalists at the government headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, December 3, 2025. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir/File Photo
BEIRUT, Feb 28 (Reuters) — Lebanon's presidency said on Saturday that U.S. Ambassador Michel Issa conveyed a message that Israel would refrain from escalating military action against Lebanon provided there are no hostile acts from the Lebanese side. The message came after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, heightening concerns across the region.
Hezbollah's Reaction: Lebanon's Shiite armed group Hezbollah, a long-standing ally of Tehran, expressed solidarity with Iran but did not say whether it would become directly involved in any broader confrontation. In a statement, Hezbollah warned that the U.S.-Israeli strikes would "affect everyone without exception if left unchallenged" and added: "We are confident that the American and Israeli enemy will receive a major blow."
Israeli Warning to Beirut: Israel has warned Lebanon it would respond forcefully if Hezbollah entered a U.S.-Iran conflict, saying it could target civilian infrastructure — including the airport — should Hezbollah get involved. The statement raised alarms in Beirut about the potential humanitarian and economic consequences of any escalation.
Official Responses: The U.S. embassy in Lebanon did not immediately respond to a request for comment on a statement from President Joseph Aoun's office about the ambassador's message. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also declined to comment.
Context and Background: Hezbollah has engaged in multiple conflicts with Israel since emerging in the early 1980s with backing from Iran's Revolutionary Guards. The group has endured significant losses in past confrontations, including a major confrontation with Israel in 2024 that weakened its capabilities, though its leadership remained a central force in Lebanese politics.
Lebanese Leadership Calls For Restraint: Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam issued a veiled warning to Hezbollah, saying he would not accept anyone dragging Lebanon into "adventures that threaten its security and unity." In a separate statement after the strikes on Iran, Salam urged "all Lebanese to act with wisdom and patriotism, placing Lebanon and the Lebanese people's interests above any other consideration."
Amid rising regional tensions, Lebanon's leaders are urging restraint to avoid a wider conflict that could devastate the country.
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