Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, said the U.S. responsibility is clear after Israel’s deadly airstrikes in Lebanon. He warned Washington must choose between enforcing a ceasefire or allowing continued war through Israel.
Araghchi posted on social media that the Iran–U.S. ceasefire terms explicitly included Lebanon. He stressed that the U.S. responsibility requires preventing attacks on civilians and ensuring the truce holds. His statement came hours after Israel carried out the deadliest wave of airstrikes since the conflict began last month.
The strikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs, the Bekaa Valley, and southern Lebanon. At least 254 people died, and hundreds more suffered injuries. Lebanon’s Health Minister called the escalation extremely dangerous and reported that ambulances and emergency aid centers suffered damage.
Araghchi emphasized that the international community sees the massacres in Lebanon. He insisted that the U.S. responsibility is to act on commitments made during Pakistani-mediated talks. He warned that failing to enforce the truce could trigger severe regional consequences.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, condemned the airstrikes as “outrageous and shameful.” He reminded that Lebanon belonged to the ceasefire agreement and blamed the U.S. for ignoring its enforcement role. Baqaei offered condolences to victims’ families and expressed solidarity with Lebanon’s government and people.
Iran and the U.S. agreed to a two-week ceasefire after weeks of Iranian retaliatory strikes under Operation True Promise 4. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately declared that the truce excluded Lebanon. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt backed Israel’s position, contradicting Iran and Pakistan, which mediated the deal.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated the truce covered Lebanon and nearby regions. Despite this, Israeli warplanes struck Tyre, Nabatieh, and Beirut’s southern suburbs on Wednesday morning.
Since February, Israeli attacks have killed over 1,500 people in Lebanon, including at least 130 children. The attacks displaced more than 1.2 million residents, nearly one-fifth of the population. Israeli forces destroyed entire villages near the border to establish a “security buffer zone.”
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun condemned the strikes as a massacre. He promised that the government would continue diplomatic efforts to include Lebanon in regional peace talks. Iran repeatedly warned that any attack on Hezbollah or Lebanese territory constitutes aggression against Iran.
Analysts emphasize that the U.S. responsibility for enforcing the truce is crucial to prevent further civilian casualties. They warn that continued inaction risks destabilizing the region. International pressure on Washington and Tel Aviv continues to build.