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, threatening to keep up attacks until 'Israeli-American aggression' against Lebanon ceases.
Khatibzadeh stated during a BBC Radio 4 interview that Tehran had sent a 'crystal clear' message to the White House, illustrating that the US cannot pursue both ceasefire and aggression. He asserted that Hezbollah, characterized by him as a 'Lebanese freedom movement', had largely respected ceasefire conditions, despite the ongoing violence.
Hezbollah's rocket attacks were cited as a reaction to increasing Israeli military actions, amidst concerns that the ceasefire now appears compromised. Khatibzadeh emphasized that Iran remains committed to international law regarding navigational safety in strategic waterways amidst rising military tensions, and he expressed doubt about reaching a permanent agreement with the US.
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, threatening to keep up attacks until 'Israeli-American aggression' against Lebanon ceases.
Khatibzadeh stated during a BBC Radio 4 interview that Tehran had sent a 'crystal clear' message to the White House, illustrating that the US cannot pursue both ceasefire and aggression. He asserted that Hezbollah, characterized by him as a 'Lebanese freedom movement', had largely respected ceasefire conditions, despite the ongoing violence.
Hezbollah's rocket attacks were cited as a reaction to increasing Israeli military actions, amidst concerns that the ceasefire now appears compromised. Khatibzadeh emphasized that Iran remains committed to international law regarding navigational safety in strategic waterways amidst rising military tensions, and he expressed doubt about reaching a permanent agreement with the US.
