Iran Warns Israel Against Bombing Beirut

Tehran (ANTARA) - Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the nation’s primary military command, warned Israel on Monday (1/6) against bombing Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, and the Dahieh district in southern Beirut, according to the official Iranian news agency, IRNA. In a statement, the command also warned residents in northern Israel and military settlements in occupied Palestinian territories to evacuate if Israeli attacks continue. The statement accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of persisting with ‘malicious acts’ in the West Asian region by threatening to bomb Beirut and Dahieh. On the same Monday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed concern over Israel’s repeated violations of the ceasefire in Lebanon, the ongoing displacement of Lebanese citizens, and the political and military support provided by the United States to Israel. During a telephone call with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, President Pezeshkian noted the failure of the US to fulfil its commitments and stated that Israel’s destabilising actions have posed various challenges to the diplomatic process. Pezeshkian affirmed that Iran remains committed to resolving regional tensions through dialogue and diplomacy. Meanwhile, Netanyahu and Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated in a joint announcement on Monday that they had ordered the military to strike the southern outskirts of Beirut in response to repeated ‘violations’ by Hezbollah regarding the ceasefire in Lebanon, following attacks on northern Israeli towns. The semi-official Iranian news agency, Tasnim, reported on Monday that Tehran has halted talks and the exchange of draft proposals with the US via mediation as a form of protest against Israel’s actions in Lebanon.