Israel’s elite units have launched limited ground raids into Lebanon as arch-foe Hezbollah fired missiles at Tel Aviv, with the US warning it has indications Iran may be preparing to enter the fray with a ballistic missile attack on Israel, Reuters reports.

The tit-for-tat escalation following weeks of intense Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon raises concerns of a broader Middle East conflagration sucking in both Iran and the United States.

In Washington, a senior White House official said the US is actively supporting preparations to defend Israel against a direct military attack on Israel by Iran. The official added that such an attack would carry severe consequences for Iran.

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