According to a Reuters report citing sources, Hezbollah, the Lebanon-based militant group, is believed to possess Russian Yakhont (or P-800 Onyx) anti-ship missiles.
These missiles are capable of targeting American warships in the region.
The report emerged following a statement by Hezbollah leader Sayed Hassan Nasrallah, who warned the United States about Hezbollah's capacity to target American ships.
This statement came in the context of recent conflicts between Hamas and Israel.
Lebanese sources knowledgeable about the situation indicated that Nasrallah's remarks pointed to Hezbollah's significantly enhanced anti-ship missile capabilities, which now include the Russian-made Yakhont missiles with a range of 300 km.
While Hezbollah has not officially confirmed the possession of these weapons, media reports and analysts have suggested that the group acquired Yakhont missiles from Syria.
The potential of Hezbollah using such advanced weaponry against warships could escalate conflicts in the region into a major regional war, as indicated by one of the sources.
The report also highlights that since 2006, when Hezbollah first demonstrated its ability to strike a ship at sea by targeting an Israeli warship, its anti-ship capabilities have substantially increased.
This development is a part of Hezbollah's impressive arsenal, which, according to three current and one former U.S. official, includes various types of anti-ship missiles.
The presence of these weapons poses significant strategic implications for naval operations in the region.
