TEHRAN: Iran’s new President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday strongly warned Israel against attacking Lebanon as tensions soar over a deadly rocket strike in the Israeli occupied Golan Heights blamed on Hezbollah.
Pezeshkian formally assumed office on Sunday following endorsement from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
During a call with French President Emmanuel Macron, Pezeshkian said that Israel would face “severe consequences” if it proceeded with an attack on Lebanon, according to the Iranian president’s website.
“The Zionist regime (Israel) will make a great mistake with heavy consequences if it attacks Lebanon,” Pezeshkian said.
The warning follows a rocket strike on Saturday that hit a football field in Majdal Shams, a Druze town in the Israeli occupied Golan Heights, resulting in the deaths of 12 people. Israel has accused Hezbollah of launching the attack, although the Lebanese group has denied any involvement.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has intensified in recent weeks, with Hezbollah engaging in cross-border skirmishes in support of Palestinians in Gaza amid Israel’s ongoing bombardment campaign since October 7.
In his call with Macron, President Pezeshkian criticized Israel for violations of international law and frameworks, accusing the country of committing “crimes” against Palestinians. He asserted that Israel’s recent actions in Gaza and the Golan Heights have exacerbated the situation and warned of the potential for further destabilization in the region.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanani, on Sunday warned that any further Israeli military actions in Lebanon could lead to “unforeseen consequences” and a widening of regional instability. Kanani accused Israel of using Hezbollah as a scapegoat to divert attention from its actions in Gaza and questioned Israel’s moral authority to comment on the situation in Majdal Shams.
Iran has historically been a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause and has not recognized Israel since the 1979 Islamic revolution.
Meanwhile, the United States National Security Council spokesman John Kirby on Monday expressed confidence that a broader war between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah group can be avoided.
The White House emphasized that fears of a full-blown conflict are “exaggerated” and assured that diplomatic efforts are ongoing to prevent further escalation.
John Kirby said that US and Israeli officials engaged in “multiple levels” of discussions over the weekend regarding the recent attack. Kirby assured reporters that the risk of a larger war remains low, despite heightened regional tensions. “Nobody wants a broader war, and I’m confident that we’ll be able to avoid such an outcome,” Kirby said.
“We all heard about this ‘all-out war’ at multiple points over the last 10 months, those predictions were exaggerated then, quite frankly, we think they are exaggerated now.”
The deadly rocket strike, which hit the Golan Heights on Saturday, has been attributed by both Israel and the United States to Hezbollah, the Lebanese group. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged a “severe response” as he visited the attack site in Majdal Shams. The incident has intensified concerns that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza could spread to Lebanon.
Despite the rising tensions, Kirby said that current developments should not disrupt ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Gaza. “We don’t see any indications at this point in time that there’s going to be a significant impact,” he said.
In the wake of the attack, several airlines have suspended flights to Beirut, reflecting heightened security concerns. Air France and its subsidiary Transavia France announced the suspension of flights between French airports and Beirut on Monday and Tuesday due to the “security situation” in Lebanon. Lufthansa and Royal Jordanian also halted services to the Lebanese capital, citing similar concerns.
The suspension of flights has caused significant disruptions at Beirut’s airport, where travelers, including families and businesspeople, faced delays amid the sweltering heat. A Greek airport source confirmed the cancellation of an Aegean Airlines flight to Beirut on Sunday night, and Lebanon’s Middle East Airlines adjusted its flight schedule due to “technical reasons related to the distribution of aircraft insurance risks.”
The cross-border violence, which began on October 7 with an attack by Hamas, has already led to significant casualties. According to AFP, at least 529 people have been killed in Lebanon, mostly civilians. On the Israeli side, 22 soldiers have lost their lives.
