Iran holds US responsible for Israeli strikes, ceasefire violations

TEHRAN: Iran on Monday accused the United States of orchestrating a resurgence of regional hostilities, warning that Israeli violations of a fragile ceasefire —including strikes on Lebanon — threaten to completely derail ongoing diplomatic talks with Washington.

Speaking at a tense press conference in Tehran following a wave of Israeli airstrikes on Iranian energy and military infrastructure, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the United States holds direct responsibility for Israeli attacks and the breakdown of the truce.

“The actions of the Zionist entity within the region cannot be looked at in isolation from the United States,” Baghaei said, adding that current developments are part of a broader American planning framework that is driving the region back toward escalation.

“The United States holds direct responsibility for the current ceasefire violations. We were fully committed to the ceasefire agreement, but Israel has violated it,” he said.

Lebanon a Non-Negotiable Condition

Baghaei emphasized that a total cessation of Israeli aggression in Lebanon remains a core requirement for any broader agreement with Washington, warning that the continuous violations would undermine the credibility of the entire diplomatic process.

“It has been stated repeatedly that Lebanon is an essential and inseparable part of any ceasefire agreement,” Baghaei told reporters. “The violation of the ceasefire in Lebanon could severely damage the diplomatic process with the United States.”

He reiterated that while Tehran seeks an end to the wider war, Israel continues to trample on diplomatic principles and truce agreements, showing no respect for ongoing negotiations. “Neither the United States nor Israel will be permitted to compromise any clause of the potential agreement,” he added.

IAEA Accused of ‘Deliberate Bias’

The foreign ministry spokesperson also directed sharp criticism toward International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Chief Rafael Mariano Grossi, accusing the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog of ignoring the geopolitical realities on the ground.

Loss of Legitimacy: Baghaei warned that the IAEA’s credibility is at stake if it continues to be used as a political tool.

Political Narrative: “The director-general of the agency is acting with bias. He is acting with deliberate bias against Iran and the Iranian nuclear issue,” Baghaei said. “If the international body adopts a political narrative, its legitimacy will be severely compromised.”

Armed Forces Ready to Defend

Amid the unfolding military crisis, which has seen tit-for-tat missile strikes between Israel and Iran and the grounding of commercial flights in western Iran, Baghaei maintained that Iran remains prepared for any scenario.

“Our armed forces stand fully ready to defend the country’s security and national interests,” he said.

Baghaei also explicitly dismissed reports linking Tehran to peripheral regional attacks, categorically denying any Iranian involvement in operations against its neighbors. “The Iranian armed forces have not carried out any attack of any kind against Saudi Arabia,” he stated.