Israeli strikes in Lebanon 'grave violation' of ceasefire, Iran minister tells BBC

An Iranian minister has told the BBC that Israeli strikes in Lebanon on Wednesday constituted a "grave violation" of the US-Iran ceasefire agreement.Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said Lebanon was covered by the two-week deal agreed on Tuesday - something the US and Israel dispute - and said the US must choose "between war and ceasefire".At least 303 people were killed on Wednesday in air strikes on what Israel called Hezbollah command centres and military sites, the Lebanese health ministry said.Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has since said he has instructed his cabinet to "open direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible". Beirut has also said it is ready for talks."The only solution to the situation Lebanon is experiencing is to achieve a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, followed by direct negotiations between them," Lebanese President Joeseph Aoun said on X.Netanyahu's office has said the negotiations with Lebanon "will focus on the disarmament of Hezbollah and the establishing of peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon". Khatibzadeh, pressed on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on whether Tehran would likewise ask its ally, Hezbollah, to stop firing rockets towards Israel, said the Iranian-backed militant group had "abided" by the ceasefire.Hezbollah said on Thursday that it had fired at Israel overnight in response to what it called ceasefire violations. It has also threatened to keep up its attacks until "Israeli-American aggression" against Lebanon comes to an end.