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 stated that the US must choose between war and ceasefire.
The Lebanese health ministry has reported at least 203 deaths due to air strikes targeting what Israel claimed were Hezbollah command centers and military sites.
Khatibzadeh maintained that Tehran had sent a crystal clear message to the White House, stating that one cannot demand a ceasefire while an ally perpetrates violence.
Hezbollah, responding to these Israeli airstrikes, claimed to have fired at Israel overnight in retaliation, threatening to continue its attacks until the ongoing aggression against Lebanon ceases.
During the discussion, Khatibzadeh highlighted that the ceasefire agreement—which Trump termed a workable framework—expected compliance from Iran, the US, and their allies, asserting that Hezbollah had largely abided by it.
When questioned about Tehran's warnings regarding ships in the Strait of Hormuz, Khatibzadeh argued for adherence to international norms while suggesting that Iran would provide security for safe maritime passage, contingent upon the cessation of US aggression.
The backdrop of escalating conflict also points to the broader implications for international shipping routes and tensions surrounding oil trade, which have seen disruption post the onset of hostilities.
