Iran’s FM warns any attack on Beirut will trigger ‘full-scale resumption of war’

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warns that any attack on Lebanese capital Beirut would trigger a “full-scale resumption” of the Middle East war, as Israel presses its campaign against Hezbollah.

“Any attack on Beirut will have grave consequences and will lead to a full-scale resumption of the war,” the Tasnim news agency quotes Araghchi as telling Lebanon’s Al Mayadeen TV. “Our armed forces are ready to strike Israel if it attacks Beirut.”

Araghchi also says that lines of communication with the United States are still open, but “no tangible progress” has been made in negotiations to end the Middle East war.

“Communications with the Americans have not been cut off, and messages have been exchanged regarding the need to stop aggression against Beirut, but no tangible progress has been made in the negotiation process,” he says.

“Returning to the negotiating table is conditional on ensuring the rights of the Iranian people, ending the war in Lebanon, and stopping tensions in the region.”