Iranian lawmakers condemn Israeli attack on Lebanon, call for retribution

Media focus on President Pezeshkian and Iran’s hopes to gain something from his largely low-key meetings in New York sharply contrasts with the public's attention on two other events: the football derby where Persepolis defeated Esteghlal, and a high-profile interview on Iran International TV with pop icon Shahram Shabpareh, who has entertained Iranians for nearly 60 years, spending 45 of those years in exile in the United States.

Iranian media are eager to uncover what truly transpired in New York and whether the factional debate over Pezeshkian's success or failure holds any merit. Pro-reform website Fararu noted in a Thursday report, "What’s been said publicly isn’t the issue—people want to know what happened behind the scenes." The report added that observers are approaching media coverage of Pezeshkian’s visit to New York "with a certain degree of caution."

The website also quoted Foreign Minister Araghchi as saying that "Iran is looking for a dignified way to revive the 2015 nuclear deal while it needs to reassure" the United States and Europe about the peacefulness of its ambitious nuclear program.

In an interview with Fararu, political analyst Rahman Ghahramanpour observed that European diplomats in New York approached the Islamic Republic with "a cautious sense of hope." He noted, "Their attitude was less pessimistic than it was toward former President Raisi, but not as optimistic as it had been with Rouhani’s team."

Commenting on the term "dignified" used by Araghchi, Ghahramanpour explained that it aligns with Khamenei's call for "dignified, thoughtful, and prudent" diplomacy. He added that the Pezeshkian administration needs an agreement with the West to strengthen its position against political rivals in Tehran. However, he pointed out that a potential nuclear deal faces opposition in both Tehran and Washington.

Fararu also quoted economist Morteza Afghah, who said Pezeshkian is under pressure to improve the country's economic situation. Afghah suggested that it was these economic pressures that led Iranian officials to adopt a softer tone in New York and move toward re-establishing diplomatic relations with the West after seven years. However, he did not comment on how this shift might affect Iran's ties with its new partners, Russia and China.

Another political observer in Tehran Abdolreza Faraji-Rad told Fararu that Pezeshkian has loud opponents in Tehran who control the country's state television and in order not to come under attack by them, he needs to coordinate his actions with "higher up", presumably meaning Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Even when Pezeshkian faced backlash from hardliners over his controversial remarks in New York about mutual disarmament between Iran and Israel and calling on international organizations to restore security in the Middle East, some argued it wasn’t a slip of the tongue or a sign of political naivete. Instead, they suggested it indicated he had received approval from Khamenei to make such a bold statement.

Meanwhile, Ghahramanpour had another interview the centrist website Entekhab in Tehran in which he said "At the time being there is very little chance for an open, direct and comprehensive negotiations with the United States, but this does not mean there will be no negotiations." He added: "It appears the two sides have accepted to talk about the nuclear issue at a lower level and wait for a proper situation after the US Presidential elections."

Despite the meeting between Macron and Pezeshkian during which Macron called for the release of French hostages in jail in Tehran, according to Ghahramanpour, resumption of talks with Europe is likely to take place only with "medium priority" as the continuation of the meeting with the French was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in not reachable and his fate cannot be determined, Reuters says citing a source that it says is close to Hezbollah.

Israel says one senior Hezbollah commander has been killed.

Iranian sources with ties to the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) have suggested that a senior IRGC Quds Force commander has also been killed, but it's yet to be announced officially.

Hezbollah is yet to issue a statement about its leader.

Displaced people gather at Beirut's central Martyrs' Square as Israel strikes Beirut's southern suburbs

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi accused Israel of using multiple US-made "bunker buster" bombs in its strike on Beirut.

"Just this morning, the Israeli regime used several 5,000-pound bunker busters that had been gifted to them by the United States to hit residential areas in Beirut," he told a UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East.

"Netanyahu and his team should now be in prison for their crimes, not giving speeches at the United Nations... The Islamic Republic, with all means, stands alongside Lebanon and the Axis of Resistance," Araqchi said.

The attack was Israel's largest of the vast suburb from which the Iran-backed Shia militant group draws its support in nearly a year of fighting.

The New York Times on Friday evening cited five Israeli officials saying intelligence agencies' initial assessment was that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had been killed.

The indications were preliminary and might change, the officials added.

Hezbollah, which has yet to comment on Nasrallah's fate, said it fired missiles at the northern Israeli city of Safed in response.

Iran condemned the bombings without clearly pledging to retaliate directly.

"There is no doubt that this reprehensible crime and reckless behavior represent a serious escalation that changes the rules of the game and brings upon its perpetrator appropriate punishment and discipline," Tehran's embassy in Beirut said on X.

The attack leveled residential buildings in the Haret Hreik neighborhood and preliminary estimates by the Lebanese health ministry reported that two people were killed and 76 injured.

Middle East analyst Ghassan Ashour said Israel's ramped-up attacks have been met with little to no response from Tehran, in a trend which is likely to embolden Israel fruther.

“In case the Islamic Republic decides to retaliate against Israel, it would inevitably draw in the United States and other countries into the war, which is undesirable for Iran," Ashour told Iran International. "Even if Hassan Nasrallah were killed, Tehran would refrain from retaliation.”

"Long arm" of Israel

Further Israeli air strikes in the early hours of Saturday pounded the same south Beirut area after the country's military warned residents to flee certain areas there.

Residents fled the area in droves, according to imagery posted on social media.

Early on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the United Nations General Assembly that Israel was winning in a multi-front war with Iran.

"There is no place in Iran that the long arm of Israel cannot reach. And that's true of the entire Middle East ... We are winning", Netanyahu said.

The United States said it had no foreknowledge or hand in the attack, President Joe Biden told reporters on Friday.

"We’re still gathering information; I can tell you — the United States had no knowledge of or participation in the IDF action," Biden said, referring to the Israeli military.

The top defense officials of both countries were speaking together on the phone at the time of the attack, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh told reporters, who declined to elaborate on the contents of their discussion.

Asked about whether Washington approved of Israeli actions or targeted killings, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the United States was still examining the intent and effects of the attack.

"What's necessary is to create the conditions, including moving forces back, such that people in both northern Israel and southern Lebanon have the confidence to return home," Blinken said, noting that efforts for a ceasefire and deal to withdraw Hezbollah forces northward were ongoing.

Beginning last week, bombing attacks widely attributed to Israel and air strikes across Lebanon targeting Hezbollah killed over 600 people, ramping up tensions between the Jewish state and an array of Islamist groups Iran arms and funds in the region.

Netanyahu on Thursday appeared to brush off an initiative by the US and other world powers for a 21-day ceasefire between the Jewish state and Iran-backed Hezbollah, saying military operations would continue with "full force".