Israel's large-scale strikes on Lebanon constitute a violation of the ceasefire, according to official statements from Tehran. Operative Information Center-OMM reports that Saeed Khatibzadeh, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, made these remarks during an interview with the British ITV television channel.
The Deputy Foreign Minister stated that while Iran was fully prepared to launch a retaliatory military strike, diplomatic messages received via Pakistan prevented the escalation. "Last night was extremely critical. We had no choice but to respond. However, messages then arrived from Pakistan indicating that the Americans could restrain their ally, and we reached an agreement to hold back," Khatibzadeh emphasized.
The involvement of Pakistan as a diplomatic conduit highlights the complex regional dynamics currently at play in the Middle East. Historically, Islamabad has often served as a bridge for communication between Washington and Tehran during periods of heightened tension. This diplomatic intervention comes amid growing international concern over the potential for a wider regional conflict, as world powers seek to maintain the fragile stability of existing ceasefire agreements and prevent direct military confrontations between major regional actors.
