Iran preparing deterrent strikes against Israel over alleged Lebanon ceasefire violations: Report

ISTANBUL

Iran is preparing deterrent strikes against Israel for alleged Lebanon ceasefire violations, an unknown Iranian military source told the semi-official Fars News Agency on Wednesday.

"Following the continued violations of the temporary ceasefire by the Israeli regime’s army against Lebanon and the country’s Islamic resistance, Iran is finalizing plans to carry out a deterrent operation against Israeli military positions in the occupied territories," said the source.

Officials in Tehran are increasingly interpreting Israel's continued attacks "despite the agreement on all fronts" as evidence that the US "cannot control [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu, or that CENTCOM has granted the Israeli regime freedom of action," the source added.

Earlier in the day, the Lebanese state-run National News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes launched raids on multiple locations in Beirut, in addition to Baalbek in the east, Mount Lebanon and the south.

The attacks came hours after the US and Iran announced a two-week truce Tuesday aimed at paving the way for a final agreement to end the war launched by Washington and Tel Aviv against Tehran on Feb. 28, which has left thousands dead and wounded.

Israel has carried out airstrikes and a ground offensive in southern Lebanon since a cross-border attack by Hezbollah on March 2, despite a ceasefire that took effect in November 2024.