Iran speeds up arms deliveries to Hezbollah as US and Europe step up diplomatic pressure to prevent war in Lebanon

The Iranian regime has significantly increased its arms deliveries to the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah in recent months, amid diplomatic efforts by the United States and European countries to prevent an escalation of the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel towards total war.

Among the most important weapons systems recently supplied by Iran are additional air defense systems, which can threaten Israel's air superiorityaccording to Ynet News.

In recent months, the terrorist group has made several attempts to shoot down Israeli aircraft, managing to hit and destroy them. intercepting five IDF drones So far, Israel has responded by striking Hezbollah's air defense system, destroying several of its launchers.

On April 6, Hezbollah shot down an Israeli drone. It was a Hermes 900 drone, according to Hezbollah. Documentation published by Hezbollah suggests that an Iranian “358” anti-aircraft missile was launched against the drone. Pay close attention to the green rectangle… pic.twitter.com/9RKqpmdT2L

— Israel-Alma (@IsraelAlmaorg) April 7, 2024

The Iranian shipments are also believed to contain advanced Almas anti-tank missiles, an Iranian development based on the Israeli Spike missile that Hezbollah obtained during the 2006 Second Lebanon War.

The missiles have a long range and are very precise thanks to a camera in the warhead which allows the operator to guide it in flight.

The Iranian regime is regularly supply of weapons to Hezbollahits main military proxy in the region, through a sophisticated network of smuggling routes through Iraq and Syria to Lebanon.

THE IDF hit trucks and convoys carrying these cargoes repeatedly over the past decade.

Meanwhile, efforts to reach a diplomatic solution continue behind the scenes, although talks appear to have stalled after US envoy Amos Hochstein and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock visited Jerusalem and Beirut in recent weeks, only to leave without tangible results.

The Times of Israel reported that American, European and even Arab mediators have sent warnings to Hezbollah, telling it not to be overconfident in its ability to confront the Israel Defense Forces in an all-out war.

The message to the Lebanese terror group is “don't think you're as capable as you think you are,” said Gerald Feierstein, a former senior U.S. diplomat in the Middle East.

Feierstein added that despite a slight decrease in firefights after a peak about a week ago, the two sides do not appear to have decided to restrict their attacks in order to avoid a wider war.

“It certainly seems like Israelis are continuing to organize in anticipation of some kind of conflict… of a totally different magnitude,” he said.

The United States has issued multiple warnings to Hezbollah, including a statement last week that Hezbollah should not bet on The United States retains Israel in the event of a possible regional war that could involve Iran.

The United States also reinforced its naval forces in the Eastern Mediterranean last week to prevent the ongoing armed conflict from escalating into an all-out war, which the United States says could drag the entire region into it.

The United States moved the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp to the region this week, with an official confirming: “It's about deterrence.”