Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader delivered a stark warning following a tense exchange in which former President Donald Trump admonished Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The criticism came after Netanyahu’s actions nearly unraveled a fragile ceasefire agreement.
According to sources from Axios, the situation unfolded during a phone conversation involving Trump and White House envoy Steve Witkoff. The envoy reportedly urged Netanyahu to de-escalate military strikes in Lebanon and consider initiating peace negotiations.
This plea from the former U.S. President arrives as American officials plan to engage in talks with Iranian leaders in Pakistan, aiming to broker a resolution to the ongoing conflict.
Despite a temporary ceasefire brokered by Trump with Iran, Israel has persisted with its military operations in Lebanon, targeting urban areas like Beirut. These strikes have resulted in numerous civilian casualties and injuries.
Iran contends that Lebanon was included in the ceasefire arrangement with the U.S. and has issued a threat to withdraw from peace discussions if Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in the region continue. Furthermore, Iran has warned of maintaining the closure of the Strait of Hormuz unless Israeli aggression ceases.
However, U.S. and Israeli diplomats refute Iran’s claims, asserting that the ceasefire does not extend to Netanyahu’s ongoing military campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Officials close to Netanyahu said Israel would not observe a ceasefire with Lebanon until a formal agreement is reached during the upcoming peace talks.
‘I spoke with Bibi and he’s going to low-key it. I just think we have to be sort of a little more low-key,’ Trump told NBC News on Thursday.
The new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said on Thursday in a statement that Iran will move the management of Hormuz into a new phase.
Israel has rapidly escalated their attacks against Lebanon since the announcement of the US-Iran ceasefire, killing an estimated 254 people with air strikes
Iran claims Lebanon was part of the ceasefire deal with the US and is now threatening to abandon peace talks and keep the Strait of Hormuz closed unless Israel stops
Officials close to Netanyahu said Israel would not observe a ceasefire with Lebanon until a formal agreement is reached during upcoming peace talks
‘Iran is not seeking war but will not forfeit its rights and considers all resistance fronts as a unified entity,’ Khamenei added in a statement read on state TV.
He added: ‘We are still awaiting an appropriate reaction from our southern neighbors so that we can show you our brotherhood.’
Israel has rapidly escalated their attacks against Lebanon since the announcement of the US-Iran ceasefire, killing an estimated 254 people with air strikes, according to the Lebanese Civil Defense.
‘In light of Lebanon’s repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed yesterday to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible,’ Netanyahu said.
The Israeli prime minister noted that negotiations ‘will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon.’
Iran, for decades, has used proxy Islamic militant groups, such as Hezbollah, to attack US and Israeli assets in the Middle East.
A senior Israeli official said that negotiations between Netanyahu’s cabinet and Lebanon are set to begin next week.
The summit will be hosted by the US at the State Department headquarters in Washington, DC.
The Israeli prime minister held a phone call between Trump and White House envoy Steve Witkoff on Wednesday. Witkoff reportedly told Netanyahu to ‘calm down’ the strikes in Lebanon and open peace negotiations
US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa will moderate the talks, while Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter will represent Netanyahu. The Lebanese group will be represented by Ambassador Nada Hamadeh-Moawad.
The Iranians put forward a ten-point ceasefire plan on Tuesday that Trump called ‘a workable basis on which to negotiate.’
The plan allows Iran to continue controlling the strait, although Tehran said countries that did not threaten them militarily would be allowed to pass.
Vice President JD Vance will help lead peace negotiations for the US in Pakistan on Friday.
The ceasefire comes after Trump vowed to destroy the entire civilization of Iran.
