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 said Tehran had sent a 'crystal clear' message to the White House late on Wednesday which could be summarised as 'you cannot have cake and eat it at the same time'. He asserted: 'You cannot ask for a ceasefire and then accept terms and conditions, accept all the areas that a ceasefire is applied to, and name Lebanon, exactly Lebanon in that, and then your ally just starts a massacre.' Additionally, Khatibzadeh stated that Hezbollah is a 'Lebanese freedom movement' which receives 'support' from Iran, and that the deal reached - which Trump called a workable framework - requires both Iran, Washington and each of their allies to adhere to the ceasefire. He emphasized that Hezbollah had 'very much abided by that.' Despite claims from Iranian state media that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed following these attacks, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt denied such reports, indicating an increase in maritime traffic. President Trump has also emphasized that US forces will remain in the region until a final agreement is reached with Iran, reiterating that this agreement must ensure the Strait is 'open and safe'.
Iran Condemns Israeli Attacks in Lebanon as Breach of Ceasefire Agreement

Iran Condemns Israeli Attacks in Lebanon as Breach of Ceasefire Agreement
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh describes Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon as a significant violation of the ceasefire terms established by the US and Iran.
In a recent statement, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh condemned Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, labeling them a 'grave violation' of the ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran. The airstrikes led to substantial casualties, with the Lebanese health ministry reporting over 200 fatalities. Khatibzadeh emphasized that Lebanon is included in the ceasefire terms and urged the US to choose between continued conflict and maintaining peace. Hezbollah has responded to the attacks by firing rockets at Israeli positions, claiming they will continue until aggression against Lebanon ceases.




















