ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran’s parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf claimed on Sunday that the United States “only understands the language of force,” warning that American and allied military assets in the region could become legitimate targets following Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs.
In a post on X, Ghalibaf accused Washington of failing to uphold diplomacy and ceasefire commitments, saying: “They are neither committed to a ceasefire nor do they believe in dialogue," referring to the US officials.
"Through the naval blockade and the violation of agreements regarding Lebanon, they have shown that they only understand the language of power," Ghalibaf added.
The remarks come amid heightened regional tensions following Israeli airstrikes on Beirut’s Dahieh district, which Israel says targeted Hezbollah-linked facilities in response to attacks on Israeli territory.
Tehran has repeatedly maintained that Lebanon is included in its fragile ceasefire with the United States - a claim rejected by Israel.
Ghalibaf further warned that Iran’s armed forces operate without constraints in responding to what Tehran views as regional escalation:
“The naval blockade against the Iranian nation and the 'green light' given today by the US to the Zionist regime make American and [Zionist] regime bases and assets in the region legitimate targets,” the top Iranian official said.
An Iranian parliamentary security spokesperson, Ebrahim Rezaei, also issued threats of retaliation earlier on Sunday after the strikes, saying: “This rabid dog must be disciplined and put back in its place. Look at the skies of the occupied territories tonight”
The recent remarks by Iranian officials come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to secure a permanent truce between the US, Israel, and Iran following the six-week war that began in late February. Although large-scale hostilities have eased, tensions persist through continued maritime confrontations in the Strait of Hormuz.
The escalation has further strained already fragile regional arrangements, with Lebanon emerging as a major point of dispute between Iran, Israel, and the United States since a reported ceasefire understanding earlier this year.
