Tehran: Iran warned Monday it will not hesitate to help Lebanon resist Israel’s ‘illegal aggression’ on the country. “We have emphasized and continue to emphasize that the ceasefire in Lebanon is an integral part of any ceasefire and any final agreement” to end the war with the US, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told a news conference cited by the state news agency IRNA.

According to Anadolu Agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the army on Monday to carry out airstrikes in the Lebanese capital Beirut in renewed escalation despite an ongoing ceasefire in Lebanon. Baqaei further stated, ‘Tehran is not currently holding negotiations with Washington on the details of its nuclear program,’ emphasizing that their focus is on ending the war at this stage.

Separately, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Iran’s parliament speaker and top negotiator in talks with Washington, criticized the US naval blockade and Israeli actions in Lebanon, labeling them as ‘war crimes’ and evidence of US noncompliance with the ceasefire. In a statement on the US social media company X, he remarked, “Every choice has a price, and the bill comes due. It will all fall into place.”

Tensions in the Middle East have been high since February when the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate with attacks targeting Israel and US allies in the Gulf, along with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Although a ceasefire was mediated by Pakistan and took effect on April 8, further talks in Islamabad failed to yield a lasting solution. Both sides have continued to exchange proposals in hopes of resuming direct talks to end the conflict.