Iran warns of retaliation after Israel strikes Beirut, calls attack truce violation

By Seo Ji-yeon, The Herald Business

Iran declared Israel's airstrike on Beirut a violation of its truce agreement with the United States and signaled it may retaliate, as the strike threatens to destabilize the Middle East amid active US-Iran negotiations toward an end to hostilities.

Iran's Foreign Ministry issued a statement Sunday condemning what it called "the military aggression committed by the Zionist regime against residential areas in the Dahiyeh district of Beirut," describing the strike as "a flagrant violation of Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

The ministry also claimed the attack "constitutes a serious violation of the truce agreement concluded between Iran and the United States on April 8," and said a number of Lebanese civilians had been killed or wounded.

Iran placed direct blame on Washington as well. "The US government bears direct responsibility for the repeated crimes of the Israeli regime and its violations of the truce targeting Lebanon and Iran," the ministry said, warning that "Iran will take all necessary measures to exercise its legitimate right to self-defense."

The statement added that the United States and Israel bear full responsibility for "the dangerous consequences that Israel's reckless provocations will bring to regional peace and security."

Earlier Sunday, the Israeli military struck a building in the Dahiyeh district on the southern outskirts of Beirut.

Israel said three Hezbollah drones had entered its airspace and that the strike targeted a Hezbollah command facility in response.

Dahiyeh is widely regarded as a political and military stronghold of Hezbollah.

Iran's military also took a hard line. Mohammad Jafar Asadi, deputy commander of the Hatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters — the body that coordinates Iran's armed forces — said Iran "will never overlook Israel's criminal acts" and vowed that retaliation was certain.

The timing of the strike drew particular attention because it came as the United States and Iran were working toward signing a truce memorandum of understanding. The two sides have been negotiating terms covering the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the resumption of nuclear talks and the release of frozen assets, with some observers suggesting a deal could come soon.

Donald Trump also signaled discomfort with the Israeli strike. Speaking to reporters, Trump said "that should not have happened" and urged all parties, including Israel, to exercise restraint.

The remarks were seen as unusual, given that Trump has largely avoided public criticism of Israeli military operations.

Diplomatic observers warn that an escalation between Israel and Hezbollah could complicate the US-Iran negotiations at a critical juncture. With Iran formally characterizing the strike as a truce violation and explicitly invoking its right to self-defense, analysts say the risk of renewed regional tensions is rising.