Iranian Parliament Committee Head Threatens “Strong Response” After Beirut Strike

Despite U.S. efforts to prevent a wider regional escalation and to preserve understandings with Tehran, Iranian and Israeli officials are trading sharp warnings after a strike in Beirut’s Dahieh district. Israeli sources said Sunday evening that Washington had been working through several intermediaries in recent hours to stop an Iranian missile or other attack on Israel in light of the latest regional developments.

According to those Israeli officials, the message relayed from Israel was clear: “If the Iranians attack us, we will respond strongly and quickly.” They said Israel is closely monitoring the situation and holding ongoing situation assessments because of concern over an Iranian retaliation.

At the same time, Ibrahim Azizi, chairman of the National Security Committee in Iran’s parliament, issued a forceful statement after the Dahieh strike. He said the “crime” committed by the “Zionist regime” in Dahieh, Beirut, again proved that the United States is weak and not credible because it cannot control the “illegitimate regime.”

Azizi then delivered an explicit threat, saying, “A strong response is coming.” His remarks join a series of Iranian threats and statements over the past day, as pressure builds around the possibility of further escalation.