Iran Warns of Retaliatory Strike Against Israel, Hezbollah Threatens Direct Attack

Amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, Iran has issued a warning, threatening an attack if the talks fail. Hezbollah has also joined the chorus, vowing a direct assault on Israel if negotiations are prolonged.

Amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, Iran has issued a stern warning, threatening an attack if the talks fail. The Iranian official, speaking to Reuters, stated that Iran and its allies, including Hezbollah, would launch a direct attack on Israel if it believes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government is dragging out negotiations with the Palestinian terrorist group.

Only a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas would restrain Iran from a direct strike against Israel in the wake of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh's assassination in Tehran in late July, according to three senior Iranian officials who spoke to Reuters. However, the news agency noted that the sources did not specify how long Iran would allow the talks to continue before taking action.

Iran Warns of Retaliatory Strike Against Israel, Hezbollah Threatens Direct Attack

Hamas announced on Sunday that it would not engage in new ceasefire negotiations this week unless mediators presented a plan based on previous talks. The talks are expected to resume on Thursday.

These developments come a day after White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby informed reporters that the United States shares Israel's assessment that Iran and its proxies may act as early as this week. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel subsequently stated that while he would not speculate on Iran's potential actions, he emphasized that no one benefits from retaliation. Patel stressed the importance of intensive diplomacy with allies and partners to convey a message of de-escalation through diplomacy.

Iran Warns of Retaliatory Strike Against Israel, Hezbollah Threatens Direct Attack

Iran's president has asserted to Britain's prime minister that Tehran considers retaliation against Israel over Haniyeh's killing a legitimate right and a means of deterring future aggression. According to an official IRNA news agency report on Tuesday, President Masoud Pezeshkian told Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a phone conversation on Monday that a punitive response to an aggressor is "a right of nations and a solution for stopping crimes and aggression."

The report indicated that the two leaders discussed ways to restore peace and stability in the region and the world, as well as improving bilateral relations, without providing specifics. Starmer expressed deep concern about the regional situation and urged all parties to de-escalate. During the 30-minute call with Pezeshkian, Starmer requested that Iran refrain from attacking Israel, emphasizing that war is not in anyone's best interests.

Iran Warns of Retaliatory Strike Against Israel, Hezbollah Threatens Direct Attack

On Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces reported that "a projectile that was identified crossing from the Gaza Strip fell in the maritime space in central Israel." Fox News' Bradford Betz, Yonat Friling, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.