Israel attacks Hezbollah command center; Russia and US issue warning; White House warns Iran of "serious consequences"

Additionally, Israeli fighter jets attacked a Hezbollah launch site near Ayta ash Shab, where missiles were fired toward the Biranit region in Upper Galilee on August 8.

Amidst the risk of conflict spreading across the Middle East, on the same day, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke by phone with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant to discuss Washington's steps to protect its ally.

He stated that the F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jets had arrived in the Middle East on this day, representing one of many efforts to protect Israel and US forces in the region.

On social media platform X, Austin stated: "I also highlighted the importance of finalizing a ceasefire in Gaza, which would release the hostages."

Meanwhile, Sputnik news agency quoted a senior US government official as telling reporters that Washington believes Iran has no legitimate basis to attack Israel.

In commenting on the risk of the current tensions in the Middle East escalating into a full-blown conflict, the White House official also warned that if Tehran openly attacked Israel, it would face "quite serious consequences."

Also on August 8, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that a deputy minister had discussed with the Israeli ambassador to Russia to "exchange views on the military and political situation in the Middle East, focusing on the task of de-escalating tensions in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone and the entire region."