Israeli attacks on Lebanon were 'grave violation' of ceasefire, Iranian minister tells BBC

The Israeli attacks on Lebanon on Wednesday were a "grave violation" of the US-Iran ceasefire, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh has told the BBC's Today programme in an exclusive interview.

He said Iran sent a message to the Oval Office last night: "You cannot have a cake and eat it at the same time."

"You cannot ask for a ceasefire and then accept terms and conditions, accept all the areas that a ceasefire is applied to, and name Lebanon, exactly Lebanon in that, and then your ally just starts a massacre."

Khatibzadeh said the strikes by Israel amount to a "sort of genocide". Israel insists it is hitting the militant group Hezbollah, which is itself firing rockets into Israel.

In his interview with the Today programme, Iran's deputy foreign minister said the US "must choose" whether it wants war or peace.

"They cannot have it both at the same time. They are mutually exclusive, it is quite clear."

Iran, he said, asked, "everybody in the Middle East to abide by this agreement...and we expect the Americans to do the same with its allies."

When questioned on whether Iran will pull out of negotiations if the Israeli strikes continue, he said, "We are very much focusing on the wellbeing of the whole Middle East."