Iran Condemns Israeli Strikes in Lebanon as Breach of Ceasefire Agreement

Thu Apr 09 2026 18:44:38 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh labeled recent Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon as a severe violation of the US-Iran ceasefire agreement, resulting in significant casualties and escalating tensions in the region.

In the aftermath of Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon that left at least 203 dead, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh asserted that the attacks represent a grave breach of the ceasefire established between the US and Iran. The minister emphasized that Lebanon was included in the ceasefire agreement, a stance contested by the US and Israel, and stated the necessity for the US to choose between war and peace. Hezbollah has responded with its attacks against Israel, contributing to the ongoing violence and regional instability.

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 and threatened to keep up its attacks until Israeli-American aggression against Lebanon stops.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Khatibzadeh stated that Tehran sent a crystal clear message to Washington late on Wednesday asserting that a ceasefire cannot coexist with an ongoing assault.

Khatibzadeh stated, You cannot have cake and eat it at the same time in reference to the conflicting positions on ceasefire terms.

He further indicated that should US aggression cease, Iran would provide security for safe passage in the Strait of Hormuz, stressing the need for international cooperation to ensure non-misuse by military vessels.

The dynamic remains tense as Iran challenges US narratives surrounding the conflict and the implications of recent military actions in the region.