Iran blames Israeli strikes in Lebanon for delaying US deal

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Monday that ongoing Israeli military operations in Lebanon constitute the primary obstacle to reaching a comprehensive agreement between Tehran and Washington, blaming Tel Aviv for actively blocking regional stabilization efforts.

Speaking at a news conference, Baqaei told state broadcaster IRIB that the "Zionist regime" represents the main factor preventing diplomatic progress. "The attacks on Lebanon represent an attempt to prevent the improvement of the situation in the region," he said, attributing the deadlock to Israeli aggression.

Washington accused of enabling Tel Aviv

Baqaei also directed blame toward Washington, arguing that the US bears responsibility for the ongoing hostilities through its military and political support for Israel. "Every action taken by Israel is the responsibility of America, which supports it," he said, according to IRIB, framing US backing as enabling Israeli regional operations.

Diplomatic process stalled

The spokesman cautioned against viewing diplomatic engagement as a substitute for military power, noting that entering negotiations does not necessarily indicate mutual trust between the parties. He added that contradictory statements and conflicting media messages from Washington have prolonged the negotiation process, creating additional hurdles toward reaching a settlement.

Regional conflict background

Tensions across the Middle East have escalated significantly since the US and Israel launched coordinated strikes against Iranian targets in February. Tehran responded by targeting Israel and American allies in the Gulf while blocking the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Pakistan to broker a ceasefire that took effect April 8.

Subsequent negotiations in Islamabad failed to secure a lasting agreement, though both sides have continued exchanging proposals and counterproposals in an effort to resume direct talks and end the conflict.