Iran on Monday hit out at Israel and the United States even as it blamed the lack of trust, constant shifts in Washington’s position and Israeli actions in Lebanon for delays in the diplomatic process.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said ceasefire in Lebanon remains condition for US deal and accused US of continuing to violate ceasefire.
“We insist that a ceasefire in Lebanon is an essential condition for any deal aimed at ending the war,” Baqaei said in a weekly press briefing.
The remark comes even as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered his military to attack targets in the Lebanese capital Beirut’s southern suburbs. The Israeli forces have already expanded its ground assault in Lebanon, shattering a brittle truce with its northern neighbor.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke separately with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to push for a new ceasefire initiative.
Meanwhile, the US and Iran also exchanged strikes in the last few days, escalating tensions in the region. The US said it struck Iranian military sites during the weekend while Iran’s IRGC said it targeted a US base in retaliatory strikes.
