Middle East crisis live: Iran warns of ‘imminent’ response to Israeli strike on Beirut as ceasefire deal looks shaky
Middle East crisis live: Iran warns of ‘imminent’ response to Israeli strike on Beirut as ceasefire deal looks shaky
Middle East crisis live - Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council issued a stark warning on Sunday, declaring that a retaliatory action was “on the horizon” following an Israeli airstrike that targeted Hezbollah, a key ally of Tehran, in Beirut’s southern suburbs. The council’s statement, posted on X, emphasized that the Islamic Republic would not remain passive in the face of perceived aggression. “Lebanon is our life,” the statement asserted, “and any breach of the Islamic Republic’s red lines will not be tolerated.” This escalation comes as hopes for a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel face growing uncertainty.
“The response of the fighters of Islam is imminent,” the Supreme National Security Council said in a statement on X. “Lebanon is our life and violation of the red lines of the Islamic Republic will not be tolerated.”
State-run Iranian television confirmed the warnings, announcing that flights at western airports were suspended indefinitely after the attack. The news agency reported that the decision followed Iran’s top security body’s declaration of impending retaliation. “Flights from airports in the western part of the country have been cancelled until further notice,” the outlet stated, highlighting the growing economic and logistical strain on the nation.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, the civil defence service and healthcare providers confirmed at least six civilian fatalities from Israeli strikes during the latest wave of violence, despite a ceasefire agreement that had been in place for months. AFP reported that the attacks marked a renewed phase of hostilities, with the region’s infrastructure and population bearing the brunt of the conflict. This development has intensified pressure on mediators seeking to finalize a preliminary peace deal between Iran and the United States.
Iran’s retaliation is set against the backdrop of a significant military operation in southern Lebanon. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed that they had killed a senior Hezbollah commander, Ali Mussa Dakdouk, in a strike near the Litani River. Describing Dakdouk as a “key figure with extensive operational experience,” the IDF stated that he had “played a central role in orchestrating terrorist attacks and combat operations against Israel and its forces.” The strike, which targeted Dakdouk on Friday, followed an earlier incident in which Hezbollah launched three projectiles into northern Israel, prompting Israel to retaliate.
“We will teach the attackers a regrettable lesson,” said an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader in a post on X, reacting to the Israeli assault on Beirut.
The attacks have disrupted ongoing negotiations for a peace deal, with Donald Trump once again stepping into the spotlight. The former U.S. president urged restraint after Israel launched fresh airstrikes on Beirut, calling for “all sides to stand down” in a bid to preserve the tentative agreement. “We are very close to a Deal that will bring peace to the region,” Trump tweeted, adding, “There should be no more attacks by Israel anywhere in Lebanon, but there should also be no more attacks by any other party, including Hezbollah, against Israel.”
Despite Trump’s optimism, the Israeli strike on Beirut delayed the agreement’s finalization. During a phone call with Axios, the president acknowledged that the attack had “shaken up” the timeline but insisted the deal was still “on track.” “It shook it up. It delayed the signing by a few hours. It was supposed to be now. Now it is scheduled for a few hours from now,” he said, using an expletive to underscore his frustration with Netanyahu’s decision.
Trump’s public remarks have drawn mixed reactions. While he praised the “long and beautiful peace” that the deal could bring, he also expressed disappointment in Netanyahu’s actions. “It is so bad – I couldn’t believe it. An hour before we are supposed to sign the deal,” Trump exclaimed, revealing the personal strain of the situation. His comments on the “no fu*king judgment” he had given Netanyahu to the Axios reporter added a layer of political tension to the negotiations.
The Israeli military defended its actions, stating that the strike on Dakdouk was a necessary response to Hezbollah’s aggression. The IDF claimed that the commander had been “instrumental in advancing attacks against Israeli positions,” and the operation was conducted with precision. However, the attack in Beirut, which destroyed a building in the Lebanese capital’s southern suburbs, has raised concerns about the broader implications for regional stability. The incident resulted in three deaths and six injuries, further complicating the already fragile ceasefire.
As the Middle East braces for potential escalation, the stakes for the peace deal remain high. Iran’s threat of retaliation underscores the deepening rift between the two nations, with Hezbollah caught in the crossfire. The collapse of the ceasefire could lead to a prolonged conflict, impacting not only Israel and Iran but also Lebanon, Gaza, and other regional actors. Analysts warn that without a swift resolution, the region risks descending into a new cycle of violence.
Meanwhile, the United States continues to push for a diplomatic breakthrough, with Trump insisting that the deal is within reach. However, the Israeli strike has tested the patience of both sides, highlighting the challenges of achieving lasting peace. As mediators work to reconcile the conflicting interests, the world watches closely for the next move in this high-stakes geopolitical drama.