Iran Launches Missiles at Israel After Strike Near Beirut

Iran launched missiles at Israel on Sunday after an Israeli strike on an alleged Hezbollah site in southern Beirut. Israel then carried out strikes on Tehran and other cities on Monday. The exchange followed Israeli forces crossing the Litani River last month. The Lebanese government appealed for an end to foreign interference after the crossing.

A conditional ceasefire between the Lebanese government and Israel, negotiated by Washington, excludes Hezbollah representation. The agreement requires removal of armed groups south of the Litani River and creation of pilot zones under Lebanese army control.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned on Thursday that there would be no calm in the region if Israel continued its occupation of southern Lebanon. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that ending the war requires negotiation and diplomacy.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded on X that Lebanon is not a bargaining chip for Iran and urged Aoun to address Israel as the real issue.

Hezbollah opposes direct talks with Israel and seeks a larger Iranian role in mediated negotiations. Iranian demonstrators waved flags of Iran and Hezbollah in Tehran on June 7. State television analysts in Iran said Israeli advances in southern Lebanon had prompted calls for stronger action.

One analyst stated that Iran might need to demonstrate that negotiations are not important. Another analyst said the Israeli attacks on Lebanon are linked to U.S. pressure on Iran’s southern waters. A lawmaker representing Tehran told state television that the United States would intensify conflict after the World Cup.