Escalating Tensions: Iran Condemns Israeli Strikes in Lebanon as Ceasefire Violations

Thu Apr 09 2026 13:55:14 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister critiques Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, labeling them as breaches of the recent US-Iran ceasefire, while Hezbollah responds with retaliatory actions.

In a recent interview, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh condemned Israeli strikes on Lebanon, calling them a 'grave violation' of the ceasefire agreement established with the US. He stressed that the deal encompassed Lebanon and urged the US to choose between continued aggression or peace. The strikes resulted in at least 203 casualties, leading Hezbollah to assert their right to retaliate. Khatibzadeh claimed that Hezbollah has adhered to the ceasefire, which remains fragile amid ongoing tensions.

An Iranian minister has told the BBC that Israeli strikes in Lebanon on Wednesday constituted a 'grave violation' of the US-Iran ceasefire agreement.

Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said Lebanon was covered by the two-week deal agreed on Tuesday - something the US and Israel dispute - and said the US must choose 'between war and ceasefire'.

The Lebanese health ministry has said at least 203 people were killed on Wednesday in air strikes on what Israel called Hezbollah command centres and military sites.

Pressed on whether Tehran would likewise ask Hezbollah to stop firing rockets towards Israel, Khatibzadeh claimed the Iranian-backed militant group had 'abided' by the ceasefire.

Hezbollah said on Thursday that it had fired at Israel overnight in response to what it called ceasefire violations. It has also threatened to keep up its attacks until 'Israeli-American aggression' against Lebanon comes to an end.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Khatibzadeh emphasized that the US cannot maintain a ceasefire while allowing its allies to conduct violent operations. He articulated Iran's stance, stating, 'You cannot ask for a ceasefire and then accept terms and conditions, accept all the areas that a ceasefire is applied to, and name Lebanon, exactly Lebanon in that, and then your ally just starts a massacre.'

Khatibzadeh also addressed the Strait of Hormuz's status, amidst reports of continued tensions in the region, assuring that Iran would uphold international laws while expressing doubts about achieving a durable agreement with the United States.