WANA (Aug 16) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei strongly condemned Israel’s strikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday, reaffirming Iran’s solidarity with the Lebanese people and highlighting Lebanon’s legitimate right to self-defense against foreign aggression.
Baghaei severely criticized the Israeli military actions targeting multiple locations across Lebanon, including Al-Ansar, the Ali Al-Taher heights, Nabatieh al-Foqa, and Deir Al-Zahrani. The attacks resulted in the deaths of 11 people—including a family of three children and two women—injured several others, and destroyed residential and civilian infrastructure.
In one early-morning strike on a residence near the town of Al-Ansar in southern Lebanon, seven people were killed, three others were injured, and the home was completely destroyed. Additional airstrikes hit residential areas in Deir Al-Zahrani at least twice later in the afternoon.
Highlighting the ongoing military aggression and violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Baghaei expressed regret over the UN Security Council’s continued silence and inaction regarding severe breaches of international law and international humanitarian law.
He emphasized the urgent need for Israel to cease aggressive actions in southern Lebanon and immediately withdraw from occupied Lebanese territories. Praising the resilience of the Lebanese populace, the spokesman reaffirmed Lebanon’s legal and legitimate right to utilize all available means to defend its sovereignty.
He reiterated the Islamic Republic of Iran’s firm support for Lebanon’s national sovereignty, independence, and dignity.
According to reports, Hezbollah also responded to the escalating Israeli attacks in the south by warning against the objectives of Benjamin Netanyahu and urging Lebanese officials to halt direct and “humiliating” negotiations with Israel.