In brief
In an interview with the BBC, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh labeled Israeli attacks in Lebanon a 'grave violation' of a ceasefire deal, amid conflict-related casualties in the region. He accused the US of complicity in the situation and warned of the consequences of continued military actions, asserting that Iran supports Hezbollah's actions which are framed as defensive.
An Iranian minister has told the BBC that Israeli strikes in Lebanon on Wednesday constituted a 'grave violation' of the US-Iran ceasefire agreement.
Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said Lebanon was covered by the two-week deal agreed on Tuesday - something the US and Israel dispute - and said the US must choose 'between war and ceasefire'.
The Lebanese health ministry has said at least 203 people were killed on Wednesday in air strikes on what Israel called Hezbollah command centres and military sites.
Pressed on whether Tehran would likewise ask Hezbollah to stop firing rockets towards Israel, Khatibzadeh claimed the Iranian-backed militant group had 'abided' by the ceasefire.
Hezbollah said on Thursday that it had fired at Israel overnight in response to what it called ceasefire violations.
It has also threatened to keep up its attacks until 'Israeli-American aggression' against Lebanon comes to an end.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Khatibzadeh said Tehran had sent a 'crystal clear' message to the White House late on Wednesday which could be summarised as 'you cannot have cake and eat it at the same time.'
You cannot ask for a ceasefire and then accept terms and conditions, accept all the areas that a ceasefire is applied to, and name Lebanon, exactly Lebanon in that, and then your ally just starts a massacre, he added.
Khatibzadeh described Hezbollah as a 'Lebanese freedom movement' that receives 'support' from Iran, asserting that recent actions were consistent with their agreement and the larger context of the conflict.
As the situation escalates, US spokespersons have countered Iranian claims regarding the Strait of Hormuz, stating that shipping channels remain open for international navigation.
