Iranian military adviser says missiles ready after Israeli threats to Beirut suburbs

Mohsen Rezaei, a top military adviser to Iran's supreme leader, said Thursday that Iranian missiles were placed on standby for launch after Israel threatened to strike Beirut's southern suburbs, reaffirming Tehran's readiness to defend its allies amid stalled diplomatic efforts. Speaking to Iranian state television, Rezaei stated that Israel sought to pressure Lebanon in an effort to influence ongoing negotiations with Tehran, warning that any settlement must include an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

"Lebanon will be an inseparable part of any agreement," Rezaei said, adding that Israel must leave the country. He cautioned that any future confrontation would place northern Israel under conditions "far more difficult" than those experienced during the 40-day war.

Alliance with Hezbollah

Rezaei reaffirmed Tehran's commitment to supporting its regional allies, particularly Hezbollah, which he noted had "sacrificed lives" during the recent conflict. "A state that does not support its allies loses credibility," he said, emphasizing that Iran would not abandon the Lebanese group despite diplomatic pressures.

Strait of Hormuz and frozen assets

On maritime security, Rezaei described the Strait of Hormuz as "a strong deterrence arm" in Iran's hands, declaring that the waterway remains open for commercial trade but not for foreign military presence. He accused Washington of maintaining maritime pressure despite continued commercial shipping movements through the strategic chokepoint. The Iranian official also demanded the release of at least $24 billion in frozen Iranian funds as a step toward building trust in negotiations, according to Anadolu Agency.

Regional ceasefire efforts

Regional tensions have escalated since late February when the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, killing more than 3,000 people. Tehran retaliated by targeting Israel and Gulf states hosting American bases, and by blocking the Strait of Hormuz. A Pakistan-brokered ceasefire took effect on April 8, with the two sides agreeing to renew the fragile truce this week following a fourth round of US-mediated talks in Washington.

In Lebanon, Israeli strikes have killed nearly 3,500 people since March 2, despite a ceasefire that has held since mid-April. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently ordered troops to deepen their incursion and called for strikes on Beirut, though he was reportedly restrained after a tense phone exchange with US President Donald Trump.