Iran has warned it could launch new attacks on Israel in retaliation for strikes on Lebanon this week, while also threatening to withdraw from the ceasefire altogether. Speaking to the Fars news agency, a military source said Tehran is « finalising preparations to carry out a deterrent operation against Zionist regime military positions in the occupied territories ».
They said the regime’s view is that « either the US is unable to control Netanyahu or that CENTCOM has issued a free-hand order to the Zionist regime ». The Tasnim news agency is also reporting, citing « an informed source », that Iran will withdraw from the ceasefire if Israel continues to attack Lebanon. They added that Tehran is « identifying targets to respond », warning: « If America cannot restrain its rabid dog in the region, Iran will exceptionally help it in this regard! And by force. »
Hezbollah paused attacks on northern Israel and Israeli troops in Lebanon under a two-week US-Iran ceasefire.
Israel’s military spokesman Avichay Adraee said: « The battle in Lebanon continues, and the ceasefire does not include Lebanon. »
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it launched the largest coordinated strike of the war, targeting over 100 Hezbollah command centres and military sites in Beirut, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon.
The strikes killed dozens and wounded hundreds, the Lebanese Health Ministry said.
Contrary to Israel’s claims, Iran and Pakistan said a ceasefire would include Lebanon, while the US has yet to comment on the matter.
Hezbollah said it would abide by the peace deal if Israel stopped attacking, and threatened retaliation alongside Iran if the strikes did not stop.
Announcing the ceasefire, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Iran, the US, and their allies « agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere, including Lebanon and elsewhere ».
However, Donald Trump did not mention Lebanon in his remarks, instead focusing on Iran, creating some uncertainty as to whether the country is officially included in the ceasefire.
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