BEIRUT, Aug. 15 -- Seven people were killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon overnight Saturday, and by morning, Tehran had drawn a public line: any Israeli military move against the Ali al-Taher ridge would bring Iran directly into the fighting.

The warning, conveyed through diplomatic channels and confirmed by Israeli security sources, was unusual in its specificity. Ali al-Taher is a ridge in south Lebanon where Hezbollah fighters have been contained in a network of underground tunnels and fortified positions since Israeli forces tightened their siege in the months following the Gaza ceasefire. Iran's message named the ridge and did not soften the threshold.

Ynet reported the overnight strikes hit the villages of Ansar and Naba...