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 stated that Tehran had sent a 'crystal clear' message to the White House late on Wednesday that stressed 'you cannot have cake and eat it at the same time'. He indicated that the US could not demand a ceasefire while its ally instigated what he termed a massacre. Khatibzadeh characterized Hezbollah as a 'Lebanese freedom movement', confirming Iran's support for the group. He voiced skepticism about reaching a permanent understanding with the US, accusing Washington of using negotiations as a pretext for military actions.
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 stated that Tehran had sent a 'crystal clear' message to the White House late on Wednesday that stressed 'you cannot have cake and eat it at the same time'. He indicated that the US could not demand a ceasefire while its ally instigated what he termed a massacre. Khatibzadeh characterized Hezbollah as a 'Lebanese freedom movement', confirming Iran's support for the group. He voiced skepticism about reaching a permanent understanding with the US, accusing Washington of using negotiations as a pretext for military actions.
