Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the war involving Iran, Israel, and the US is connected to the conflict in Lebanon, and that any attack on Beirut would trigger a full-scale resumption of hostilities. Iran has repeatedly insisted that any deal to end the wider Middle East war must also halt the fighting in Lebanon. The US-Iran ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan and announced on April 8, 2026, was understood by Pakistani officials to include Lebanon. Iran asserts that the ceasefire includes all fronts and that attacks on Hezbollah breach it.

On Sunday, Israel struck Beirut’s southern suburbs without warning, killing two people and wounding 11, according to Lebanon’s state-run national news agency. The strike occurred days after the ceasefire went into effect and despite a US request not to attack Lebanon’s capital. In response, Iran attacked Israel on Sunday evening, an action described as a warning to halt Israeli strikes on Beirut by Iranian Supreme Leader adviser Mohsen Rezaei. According to Hindustan Times, Israel and Iran fired at each other on Monday, marking the first such exchange since the ceasefire two months ago.

Tehran says the U.S. and Israel bear full responsibility for the escalation and vows to take all necessary measures in self-defense, according to Bluesky. Iran’s chief negotiator warned that an Israeli strike on south Beirut and the continuing US blockade of Iranian ports would trigger retaliation, as reported by SCMP. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan accused Israel of extending its military campaign from Gaza to Lebanon and urged the international community to respond to actions that could undermine the US-Iran ceasefire. Iranian state media and other outlets reported that Israeli attacks on Lebanon and US military activity in the Persian Gulf are viewed by Iran as violations of ceasefire terms.