Ceasefire at Risk of Collapse, Iran Furious over Israel's Attack on Lebanon

Iran has openly expressed its anger towards Israel after massive airstrikes once again battered Lebanese territory. This comes after Israel’s main ally, the United States (US), agreed to a ceasefire with Tehran, which was supposed to ease tensions in the region on Wednesday (08/04/2026). The strong statement came from Iran’s chief negotiator and Parliament Speaker, Mohammed Bager Qalibaf. Citing a Reuters report, he stated that permanent peace talks have become implausible following Israel’s all-out bombardment of Lebanon and accused the United States of breaching the agreement by continuing to press Iran to fully halt its nuclear ambitions. “In a situation like this, a bilateral ceasefire or negotiations are implausible,” said Mohammed Bager Qalibaf in his official statement. Israel and the United States then responded that the two-week ceasefire agreement indeed does not cover Lebanese territory. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasised that military operations against targets in Lebanon will continue unabated despite objections from Tehran. US Vice President JD Vance, who led the Washington delegation in Budapest, also commented on the tensions. He assessed that there is a fundamental misperception on Iran’s part regarding the geographical scope of the recently announced agreement. “I think the Iranian side believes that the ceasefire covers Lebanon, whereas in reality it does not,” Vance said. New Issue: Nuclear The dispute has also escalated over Iran’s nuclear programme, which was the main trigger for the war launched by Donald Trump. Trump claimed that Iran has agreed to halt uranium enrichment and surrender all existing stockpiles, a claim he immediately posted on social media. “The United States will work with Iran to excavate and relocate all the deeply buried ‘Nuclear Dust’,” Trump wrote. However, Qalibaf immediately refuted the claim and emphasised that under the ceasefire provisions, Iran is actually still permitted to continue uranium enrichment activities. This tension has led Netanyahu to affirm that Israel’s military remains in full alert status, ready to resume total combat if necessary. “Israel has its finger on the trigger and is prepared to go back to war at any time,” Netanyahu stated firmly. Lebanon’s civil defence service reported that 254 people were killed in Israeli strikes across Lebanon on Wednesday, with the highest death toll in the capital Beirut. This situation has left Tehran resident Alireza doubtful that the diplomatic process will truly bring sustainable peace. “Israel will not let diplomacy work and Trump might change his mind tomorrow. But at least we can sleep tonight without an attack,” Alireza told Reuters by telephone. Although US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed a decisive military victory, the Iranian side feels it can still withstand attacks from the superpower. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council even issued a statement claiming that the enemy has suffered failure in its efforts. “The enemy, in its unjust, illegal, and criminal war against the Iranian nation, has suffered an undeniable historic and crushing defeat,” read the official statement from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.