Iran Says U.S., Israeli Bases 'Legitimate Targets' After Beirut Strike

(MENAFN) Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf declared Sunday that American and Israeli installations across the region have become "legitimate targets," citing a US naval blockade on Iran and Washington's backing of Israeli military operations — remarks that sharpen tensions following fresh airstrikes on Beirut.

Qalibaf issued the warning via the US social media platform X in the immediate aftermath of an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs that left at least two people dead and 11 others wounded.

"The naval blockade against the Iranian nation and America's green light today to the Zionist regime (Israel) turn American and regime bases and assets in the region into legitimate targets," he wrote.

He added a pointed military warning: "Our armed forces are always ready to respond."

The Iranian speaker further charged both Washington and Tel Aviv with dismantling ceasefire arrangements and rebuffing diplomatic overtures.

"They are neither committed to a ceasefire nor believe in dialogue," he said, adding that Tel Aviv and Washington "only understand the language of force."

The Israeli military said the Beirut strikes targeted a Hezbollah infrastructure facility in the bombed district. An Israeli public broadcaster reported that Israel had notified Washington prior to the attack.

Sunday's bombardment marked the first strikes on the Lebanese capital since a ceasefire was extended on June 3, following US-brokered negotiations between Israel and Lebanon held in Washington. Since a Hezbollah cross-border offensive in early March, Israel has continued pounding Lebanon, with the campaign claiming more than 3,600 lives and wounding over 11,000 others since March 2.

The broader regional crisis traces back to Feb. 28, when Washington and Tel Aviv launched coordinated strikes against Iran. Tehran retaliated by targeting Israel and US allies across the Gulf, while simultaneously shutting down the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world's most critical oil transit corridors. A ceasefire brokered by Pakistan took hold on April 8, but subsequent talks in Islamabad collapsed without producing a durable accord.

Since April 13, the US has maintained a blockade on Iranian ports — including those along the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz — following the breakdown of Islamabad-mediated negotiations.

MENAFN08062026000045017169ID1111225258