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By striking at the heart of Beirut, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has managed to sabotage once again the possibility of a new agreement between the United States and Iran, fueling a spiral of tensions that risks dragging the region back into wider conflict.
Top Iranian security officials reacted sharply to the Israeli attack on the Lebanese capital, calling it a “strategic mistake” that has exhausted Tehran’s patience. The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, warned that Lebanon remains central to the Islamic Republic’s regional security position.
"The unity of the fronts has created a security chain in defense of the region. Lebanon is our vital resource and any violation of the Islamic Republic's red lines will not be tolerated ," Zolghadr said.
An even harsher message came from the adviser to Iran's supreme leader, Aliakbar Velayati, who called the Israeli attack a "mistake" that has "exhausted Tehran's patience."
"Zero hour has arrived and the rocket launchers are being prepared. Hezbollah is a vital part of the axis of resistance ," Velayati declared.
He added that if Israeli "mischief" does not end, Iran is ready to use the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb to "squeeze the economic arteries" of its opponents to the point of strategic strangulation.
The statements come as flights to western parts of Iran have been canceled until further notice. Flight tracking data shows that Iranian airspace has been cleared of civilian traffic, a typical move that precedes military action. The Israeli military, for its part, has announced that it is on full alert for any possible attack from Iran in the coming hours.
The Israeli attack on Beirut comes at a delicate moment, when US and Iranian diplomacy were exploring options for de-escalation and a new nuclear deal or swap. With the strike on Beirut, Netanyahu has managed to return Iran to a position of direct confrontation, putting any potential progress towards a US-Iran deal in serious jeopardy.
Analysts say Netanyahu's strategy is aimed not only at weakening Hezbollah but also at preventing any easing of tensions that could lead to an agreement that Israel considers detrimental to its security. By doing so, the Israeli prime minister has forced Tehran to respond, making it difficult for Washington to pursue a de-escalation line.
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