Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri have strongly condemned Israel's "aggressive" actions against Lebanon, calling for global efforts to end what they described as "brutal" Israeli operations in the country's south. The two leaders spoke by phone on Thursday, 1 May, discussing the latest developments in Lebanon, the broader West Asia region, and ongoing peace negotiations between Iran and the United States, according to a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry and reported by Xinhua news agency.

Key Developments from the Phone Call

According to the ministry statement, Araghchi and Berri called for coordinated international action to halt Israeli operations in southern Lebanon, which have reportedly left thousands dead and wounded, destroyed residential areas and critical infrastructure, and displaced large numbers of Lebanese civilians. The two leaders agreed to continue bilateral consultations and coordination going forward.

Araghchi stated that the cessation of Israeli "aggressions" against Lebanon was incorporated as part of the ceasefire agreement between Iran and the United States, and that Iran would continue to raise the issue in any future diplomatic process. Berri, for his part, stressed the need to hold Israel accountable for its actions in Lebanon.

Ceasefire Timeline and Regional Context

A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect at midnight between 16 and 17 April, following weeks of intensified cross-border fighting linked to the broader US-Israeli conflict with Iran. On 23 April, US President Donald Trump announced that the existing 10-day ceasefire would be extended by three weeks.

Separately, a ceasefire between Iran, the United States, and Israel had taken effect on 8 April, followed by talks between Iranian and US delegations in Islamabad, Pakistan. Those negotiations reportedly failed to yield an agreement. The United States subsequently imposed its own blockade on the Strait of Hormuz.

Araghchi's Call with Swiss FM Cassis

In a separate phone call on the same day, Araghchi spoke with Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, asserting that insecurity in regional waters — particularly the Strait of Hormuz — was a direct consequence of what Iran characterised as US and Israeli "aggression" against Iran, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry statement. Cassis underlined Switzerland's principled position in support of diplomacy to end the war and restore peace in the region.

US Backs Lebanon-Israel Leadership Meeting

Also on Thursday, the US Embassy in Lebanon issued a statement saying it backs a potential meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — a signal of Washington's continued engagement in regional de-escalation efforts.

Background: The Wider Conflict

On 28 February, according to the source, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities, reportedly killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior military commanders, and civilians. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and US interests across the Middle East, alongside a tightened grip on the Strait of Hormuz. The sequence of events has significantly reshaped the security architecture of the region, with diplomatic channels now operating under intense pressure. How the Iran-US talks evolve — and whether Lebanon's ceasefire holds — will be closely watched in the weeks ahead.