According to the sources, Iran’s message to Hezbollah was: “We estimate that an American attack is a matter of time – you should also be prepared.”
The Iranian regime told Hezbollah leaders in Lebanon to be prepared for the United States to resume the war with Iran, following Wednesday’s report that Iran currently estimates that “an American attack is only a matter of time,” two diplomatic sources told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday.
Iran’s message to Hezbollah, according to the sources, was: “We estimate that an American attack is a matter of time – you should also be prepared.”
According to Lebanese security and military sources mentioned in a report by the Emirati site Erem News, all full-time Hezbollah members who receive monthly salaries were summoned, although it was emphasized that these directions were only preparations for a near-term scenario and not a final decision to go to war.
One prominent change in Hezbollah’s strategy, according to the sources, was adopting elements of Iran’s “mosaic defense” doctrine, which decentralizes military responsibilities and reduces reliance on a central command hierarchy.
A source told Beirut-based independent news outlet Al-Modon earlier this week that Hezbollah is preparing to rearm and rebuild its terror capabilities in the event of an escalation with the IDF amid rising regional tensions.
“If a large-scale war breaks out, it will reach Lebanon. Israeli is waiting for any opportunity for military escalation against Hezbollah, as it is working to convince Washington of the need to renew the war against Iran. Just as Tehran is anticipating the possibility of war against it, Hezbollah is preparing and equipping itself,” the report said.
Photos of prominent Hezbolla leaders are seen at the site of a reported IDF air strike which killed 6 members of the same family, on March 19, 2026 in Baalbek, Lebanon. (credit: Adri Salido/Getty Images)
Hezbollah anticipating, preparing for war
Sources told the outlet that Hezbollah is “anticipating” war and “has succeeded in taking advantage of the extended ceasefire period to rebuild its military capabilities in southern Lebanon, both south and north of the Litani River.”
Sources also linked Hezbollah’s rebuilding of militarist terror capabilities to the interception of a truck that was transporting explosive materials from the Bekaa Valley to Beirut.
The Jerusalem Post reported on Sunday that the Lebanese Armed Forces seized a truck at a checkpoint in the Bekaa Valley, which was carrying hundreds of kilograms of explosives belonging to the terror group, including TNT and C4.
Ziad Hawat, a member of the Lebanese Forces party and the former mayor of Byblos, insisted the state investigate the origins, destination and purpose of the explosives and “if Hezbollah’s involvement with the state is proven, the judiciary must expedite the adoption of deterrent legal measures against the party, the arrest of the involved leadership and members, and the banning of all its activities, including political activity.”
Defense Minister Katz threatens to seize Lebanese territory in retaliation to aggression
Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened on Wednesday that Israel would seize additional territory in southern Lebanon should Hezbollah launch attacks in coordination with Iran.
“If Hezbollah joins Iran in an attack on Israel, it will be dealt a heavy blow and lose additional territory in southern Lebanon, in the areas of Nabatiya and the Litani [River], which will become part of a permanent Israeli security zone – the IDF is prepared to launch a [new expanded] invasion,” Katz said during a visit to the IDF’s buffer zone.
James Genn, Danielle Greyman-Kennard, and Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.