Iran says it will only hold talks with the US if a ceasefire is achieved in Lebanon, has absolutely no trust in the US and Israel, and is preparing a "deterrent action"; Trump says the ceasefire does not include Lebanon.
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The US and Iran have just reached a two-week ceasefire agreement, but differences over the Lebanon issue have put this fragile truce at immediate risk of collapse.
According to CCTV News, Iran has made it clear to mediators that only with a ceasefire in Lebanon will it hold talks with the US in Pakistan. The Iranian military issued a statement warning Israel that if it does not immediately stop its attacks on Lebanon, it will face “heavy retaliation.” Xinhua reports that Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement saying the ceasefire does not include Lebanon, and US President Donald Trump said in a US media interview that the two-week US-Iran ceasefire does not include Lebanon and Hezbollah.
CCTV reports that on the day Israel declared acceptance of a two-week ceasefire, Wednesday, April 8, the Israeli Defense Forces said they launched the largest air strike against Hezbollah in Lebanon since the start of the current conflict, attacking 100 targets within 10 minutes. According to Xinhua, Lebanon’s Health Minister said the airstrike on that day caused hundreds of casualties.
This conflict casts a shadow over the much-anticipated US-Iran Islamabad talks. CCTV, citing Iranian sources, said that if Israel continues attacking Lebanon, Iran will consider pulling out of the ceasefire agreement, and its armed forces have begun identifying targets to respond to Israeli actions. Xinhua reports that US Vice President Vance, visiting Hungary, described the ceasefire as a “fragile truce” on Wednesday.
Iranian Military Warns Israel: Stop Attacking Lebanon Immediately or Face “Heavy Retaliation”
According to CCTV News, on Wednesday, April 8 local time, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement saying that if attacks against Lebanon do not stop immediately, they will make aggressors in the region regret their actions.
The statement accused Israel of brutally killing innocent people, children, and women within hours of the ceasefire agreement, and of “barbaric massacre” in Beirut.
Additionally, Majid Mousavi, Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force, said that attacking Hezbollah in Lebanon is tantamount to attacking Iran. He said, “We are preparing to make a heavy retaliatory response to the aggressors’ barbaric crimes.”
Iranian Military: US and Israel “Yielded” to Iran’s Ceasefire Terms, Ready for Fiercer War
According to CCTV News, the Headquarters of Hatam Al-Anbia of Iran’s armed forces issued a statement Wednesday, April 8, announcing victory in their 40-day resistance war against the US and Israel, declaring readiness for “even fiercer, longer, and wider war.”
The statement said that over the past 40 days, Iranian armed forces struck US bases in the Middle East and important Israeli military, security, and economic targets, causing heavy casualties and economic losses, wresting initiative away from US and Israeli control. In the end, the US and Israel “yielded” and accepted Iran’s ceasefire terms, with Iran’s forces inflicting “extremely heavy casualties and economic losses.”
The statement emphasized four positions: First, Iran has no trust in the US and Israel and is closely monitoring all their regional actions; any further mistakes will trigger “even fiercer and deadly retaliation.” Second, Iran will proactively and intelligently manage the Strait of Hormuz. Third, Iran poses no threat to regional states, and these countries should cooperate with Iran to expel US forces, “the greatest source of insecurity.” Fourth, Iranian forces will seize every opportunity to enhance defensive capabilities.
Reports say Iran’s UN ambassador stated that due to the huge trust gap between the US and Iran, Iran will take a cautious attitude toward peace talks with the US, maintain military readiness, and warned Israel to abide by the Lebanon ceasefire, as any continued attacks will have consequences.
Israeli Forces Claim Largest Airstrike on Lebanon; Lebanese Side Strongly Condemns
CCTV News reported that on the afternoon of April 8, the IDF announced that the Israeli Air Force attacked 100 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon within 10 minutes, the largest airstrike since the conflict began. Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office also stated on the same day that Israel supports Trump’s decision for a two-week ceasefire with Iran but clearly said the ceasefire does not include Lebanon.
AP reported that Israel’s Foreign Ministry accused Lebanon’s leadership of failing to disarm Hezbollah, warning that if the authorities fail to act, Israel will eliminate the threat itself.
Xinhua reports Lebanon’s Health Minister, Rakan Nasreddine, said Wednesday Israel’s airstrikes caused hundreds of casualties. Lebanese media, citing the Red Cross, said the attacks caused several buildings to collapse, with many wounded still trapped under rubble.
Lebanon strongly reacted to Israel’s attacks. CCTV reports Lebanese President Aoun strongly condemned the massive airstrikes on multiple locations, including Beirut, labeling them “barbaric,” and said Israel repeatedly violates international law. Aoun said Israel committed another massacre, blatantly defying all humanitarian standards and undermining efforts for calm and stability.
Aoun called on the international community to act to curb aggression threatening regional security. He stated Israel should bear full responsibility for its actions, warning that continued aggression will only worsen tension and turmoil; restraint is most needed now.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called on Lebanon’s allies to "use every possible means" to stop Israeli attacks.
If Israel Continues Attacking Lebanon, Iran May Exit Ceasefire, Prepare "Deterrence Action," Warns Against Drone Intrusions
CCTV, citing Iranian sources, reported that if Israel continues violating the ceasefire and attacks Lebanon, Iran is considering leaving the agreement. The source said the US promised to stop warfare on all fronts, including Lebanon, in the two-week ceasefire plan. However, since Wednesday morning, Israel blatantly breached the agreement and launched brutal attacks on Lebanon.
The source also revealed that while considering exiting the ceasefire, Iran’s armed forces are now identifying targets in response to Israel’s aggression against Lebanon.
Iranian media cited anonymous sources saying Iran will exit the ceasefire if attacks on Lebanon continue.
Xinhua, citing Iranian media, reported Iran is mobilizing forces in preparation for "deterrence operations" against Israeli military positions. US media claim a source said if the US cannot discipline its “mad dog” in the region, Iran will “help do so—with force.”
Meanwhile, Xinhua reports Iranian media said following Israeli attacks on Lebanon, Iran halted oil tanker passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
The IRGC Public Relations Department issued a statement Wednesday saying it intercepted and shot down an “Athena-900” drone over Larestan, Fars Province. The statement said any type of US or Israeli drone entering Iranian airspace, even without military action, will be considered a ceasefire violation, and Iran will resolutely respond.
Trump Reportedly Not Opposed to Confronting Hezbollah; US Defense Secretary Threatens to Seize Iran’s Enriched Uranium
According to Xinhua, Trump said in media interviews Wednesday, April 8th, that the two-week US-Iran ceasefire does not include Lebanon or Hezbollah. US media report a senior official claimed Israeli PM Netanyahu brought up Lebanon in a call with Trump, and Trump did not object to continued confrontation with Hezbollah.
On the nuclear issue, Xinhua reports US Secretary of Defense Hegseth warned at a Pentagon press conference on April 8th that Iran must hand over its enriched uranium to the US or the US military “will go get it themselves,” declaring “we will do whatever it takes to achieve that goal.” US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Kane called the ceasefire a “temporary pause,” saying the US military “remains ready to resume combat at any moment,” adding US forces have struck more than 13,000 Iranian targets since the conflict began, with US-Israeli coalition forces targeting about 90% of Iran’s weapons factories.
CCTV reports Trump stated face-to-face talks between the US and Iran in Islamabad, Pakistan are expected to take place “soon,” possibly as early as this week, with US delegation members potentially including Mideast envoy Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Kushner. He indicated Vice President Vance “may not attend,” mainly due to safety concerns.
International Community Calls for Ceasefire Including Lebanon, Multiple Pressures
The international community has generally expressed dissatisfaction that the ceasefire does not include Lebanon.
Xinhua reports Arab League Secretary-General Gheit welcomed the US-Iran ceasefire Wednesday, urging Israel to abide by related ceasefire arrangements, stop military operations against Lebanon, and pushing the US to pressure Israel. The statement said, “Logically and in reality, the ceasefire arrangement should cover Lebanon.”
The UK, France, Germany, and the EU issued a joint statement urging all parties to implement the ceasefire agreement, including within Lebanon. Xinhua reports Spanish Foreign Minister Alvarez stated Israel "must cease fire on all fronts," especially in Lebanon, criticized Israel for "invading a sovereign nation, attacking UN peacekeepers, and indiscriminate bombing of Beirut civilians."
Xinhua says Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz called on all sides to exercise restraint, respect the ceasefire commitments, and noted “some violations occurred at specific locations within the conflict zone.” UN Secretary-General Guterres welcomed the US-Iran ceasefire via a spokesperson and urged all parties to comply with the agreement for lasting regional peace.
Ceasefire Spillover Effects: Damage in Kuwait, Iraqi Militias Announce Suspension of Action
The conflict’s impact has spread to neighboring areas.
US media report Kuwait’s Interior Ministry said previous attacks hit its oil facilities and three electricity and desalination plants, causing “significant” property damage to generators, distillation equipment, and fuel tanks, triggering multiple fires.
The Abu Dhabi Media Office in the UAE said fragments from intercepted targets by air defense systems fell onto the Habshan natural gas facility area, causing fires and injuring three people.
Xinhua reports Iraqi militia group “Islamic Resistance Organization” announced a two-week suspension of its operations in Iraq and the Middle East. International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Dominguez stated, “The immediate priority is to evacuate trapped vessels, ensuring navigational safety.”
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