Iran has warned that its “fingers are on the trigger” following deadly Israeli strikes on Beirut that have cast fresh uncertainty over a proposed agreement between Tehran and Washington. Iranian officials say diplomacy remains their preferred path, but have also signalled that retaliation remains an option following the latest escalation.
The warning comes as the United States and Iran were reportedly nearing a deal aimed at reducing tensions and reopening a diplomatic track after months of conflict. US President Donald Trump said the agreement was still expected to be signed despite the violence, though he acknowledged that the Beirut strike disrupted the process.
Speaking to Axios, Trump said the Israeli attack had delayed the signing of the agreement and expressed frustration over its timing. He argued that the deal would prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and allow inspections of Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said diplomacy remains a priority, while stressing that decisions regarding peace or war ultimately rest with Iran’s leadership and security institutions. At the same time, officials in Tehran have voiced growing mistrust, arguing that developments in Lebanon cannot be separated from wider regional negotiations.
The immediate trigger for the latest tensions was an Israeli strike on Beirut following attacks launched by Hezbollah against northern Israel, according to Israeli and US officials. The Israeli operation killed three people in Beirut’s southern suburbs and raised fears that the fragile diplomatic momentum could unravel.
Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament’s national security committee, condemned the attack and warned that a “strong response” was coming. Other Iranian officials have similarly warned that the Beirut strike “will not go unanswered,” reinforcing concerns that retaliation could further destabilise the region.
Iran has repeatedly warned that attacks on Beirut could threaten ongoing diplomacy. Previous statements from Tehran indicated that any major Israeli strike on the Lebanese capital risked undermining negotiations with Washington.
Despite the escalating rhetoric, Pezeshkian said Iran continues to maintain “very good relations” with neighbouring countries and suggested that some regional disputes were moving toward resolution.
With Tehran warning that retaliation remains possible and Washington attempting to keep negotiations alive, the future of the proposed US-Iran agreement now faces one of its most serious tests yet.
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Follow up:
Iran Adviser Warns ‘Zero Hour Has Arrived’ After Beirut Strike
