Kamal Ghorui
Iran has warned it could pull out of its fragile two-week ceasefire with the United States if Israeli strikes on Hezbollah continue, signalling a rapid deterioration in an already shaky truce agreed only days ago.According to Iran’s state-linked Tasnim news agency, an informed source said Tehran is “considering the possibility” of withdrawing from the agreement amid what it sees as repeated Israeli violations in Lebanon. The source claimed the ceasefire framework, accepted by Washington, included a halt to hostilities “on all fronts”, including against Hezbollah, but accused Israel of carrying out “brutal attacks” in Lebanon in breach of the deal.The warning came as Israeli airstrikes pummelled Lebanon less than 48 hours after the ceasefire took effect, killing at least 182 people and wounding hundreds, according to Lebanese authorities. Beirut declared a national day of mourning, with flags lowered and public offices shut following one of the deadliest days since fighting escalated earlier this year.Hezbollah responded by firing rockets towards Israel, describing its action as retaliation for violations of the truce. Israel, however, has maintained that its operations against Hezbollah fall outside the scope of the US-Iran agreement — a position echoed by US Vice President JD Vance, who said the ceasefire did not cover Lebanon.Tehran has pushed back strongly against that interpretation. Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the “workable basis” for negotiations had already been undermined, pointing to continued strikes in Lebanon, alleged incursions into Iranian airspace and disputes over nuclear enrichment rights.Tasnim’s report further warned that Iran’s armed forces are assessing potential targets in response to the latest Israeli attacks. In unusually blunt language, the source said that if Washington failed to restrain Israel, Iran would “assist” by force — a remark likely to heighten fears of a broader regional escalation.The tensions come ahead of high-stakes talks expected in Pakistan, where both sides are due to explore a longer-term settlement. The ceasefire itself was brokered under pressure from US President Donald Trump, who had set a deadline for Iran to agree to terms.
Poll
In your opinion, is Iran justified in its military assessments against Israel?
Despite the pause in direct US-Iran hostilities, the wider conflict remains volatile. Iranian-linked forces have reportedly launched attacks on US-allied Gulf states in recent days, while Israel has insisted it will continue pursuing its objective of disarming Hezbollah.
