Top Iranian official says Israel’s Dahiyeh strikes show US can’t or won’t live up to deal

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, pictured on Iranian state TV, May 31, 2026. (Screenshot)
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, pictured on Iranian state TV, May 31, 2026. (Screenshot)

After Israel strikes Hezbollah targets in Beirut’s Dahiyeh neighborhood, Iran seeks to paint the attacks as a threat to an emerging deal between Tehran and Washington.

“The Zionists’ incursion into Dahiyeh has once again shown that America either lacks the will to fulfill its commitments or the ability to do so,” writes Iran’s top negotiator and parliament speaker, Mohammad Ghalibaf, on X.

“By giving the green light to the regime, you cannot gain concessions. The game of bad cop and good cop is outdated,” he says.

“If you lack the will and ability to fulfill your commitments, speaking of continuing the path is not possible,” he threatens.

Iran is trying to ensure that any deal with the US ties Israel’s hands in Lebanon, thus protecting its powerful ally, Hezbollah. Israeli leaders insist they will not let that happen.

Meanwhile, Gen. Mohammad-Jafar Asadi, deputy chief of the Khatam al-Anbiya operational headquarters of Iran’s Armed Forces, tells local media that the Dahiyeh strike “will not go unanswered.”

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