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Iran's acting foreign minister, Ali Bagheri Qani, warned Israel against war with Lebanon, saying such aggression would amount to "a journey to hell from which there is no return."
He made the comments during a press conference with Iraqi security adviser Qassim al-Araji in Baghdad on Thursday, as fighting on the Lebanese border and in the occupied territories threatens to escalate into an all-out war.
"For the Zionists, Lebanon will become an irreparable hell. If they are wise, they will not try it again," Bagheri Kani said.
He added that Israel's "incredible defeats" began in Lebanon in 2000 and 2006, referring to two wars in which fighters from the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah fought Israeli forces.
Iran's top diplomat said the balance of power has shifted since Oct. 7, when Gaza-based Hamas resistance groups carried out a surprise operation against occupation forces in retaliation for the regime's growing atrocities against Palestinians.
"The Zionists are trying to return things to the situation before Oct. 7 by killing Gaza residents, but it is futile," he said. Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in a deadly firefight since early October, shortly after Israel launched a genocidal war in the Gaza Strip in response to Hamas operations.
Attacks intensified after Israel killed a Hezbollah official in an attack on the southern Lebanese town of Juwaya on Tuesday.
MP Benny Gantz said in an interview with Israel's Channel 12 news on Thursday that "Lebanon should be in flames" if Hezbollah does not stop attacking Israel. Gantz resigned from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet on Sunday, citing, among other things, the lack of a post-war plan for Gaza.
Despite leaving the coalition, Gantz said his party would support the government in its Lebanon measures, according to Haaretz newspaper. Hezbollah said it would continue retaliatory measures as long as the Tel Aviv regime continues its brutal attacks on Gaza, which have so far killed at least 37,232 people, mostly Palestinians, and injured 85,037.
Iran, Iraq and international community call on end to Gaza war
Bagheri Qani also met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani on Thursday.
During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on regional and international issues, including Israeli aggression against Gaza and barbaric crimes in the besieged Palestinian territory.
The two leaders also discussed the need for serious efforts by the international community to thwart Israeli aggression and prevent the escalation of conflict in the region.
They also called for the implementation of agreements signed between Tehran and Baghdad in areas such as energy, education and transportation. Sudani renewed his condolences for the martyrdom of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian and their companions in a helicopter crash last month.
He stressed that Iraq will further strengthen its relations and constructive cooperation with Iran.
Bagheri expressed Iraq's condolences for the martyrdom of the Iranian officials.
Iran's interim foreign minister praised Iraq's central role in the region and its efforts to strengthen stability in the country.
He also expressed willingness to cooperate on the Iraqi Development Road, an ongoing project aimed at connecting Asia and Europe by building a network of railways, roads, ports and cities.
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