TEHRAN/BEIRUT, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) warned Sunday evening of an imminent response to an Israeli strike on Lebanon's capital Beirut earlier in the day, state-run IRIB TV reported on social media platform X.
"Lebanon is our lifeblood, and any violation of Iran's red lines will not be tolerated," IRIB quoted Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, secretary of the SNSC, as saying.
Separately, Ali Abdollahi, chief commander of Iran's main military command Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said Sunday that Iran's armed forces "have their finger on the trigger" and are ready to "shoot into the enemy's heart," Iran's official news agency IRNA reported.
However, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Sunday that the SNSC has concluded that the path of dialogue must continue, read a presidency statement.
Earlier on Sunday, the Israeli military said it struck a Hezbollah headquarters in the Dahieh district, south of Beirut.
Lebanon's Public Health Emergency Operations Center said Israel's Beirut strike killed at least three people, including Hezbollah commander Ali al-Hajj, and injured 16 others.
According to Lebanese sources, the Israeli military also launched strikes on southern Lebanon during the day, killing four people and injuring several others, whereas Hezbollah claimed attacking Israeli troops and military vehicles in southern Lebanon.
The latest developments have cast new uncertainty over an emerging U.S.-Iran deal.
Over recent weeks, Iran and the United States have exchanged several peace proposals through Pakistan's mediation, and have been working to finalize a memorandum of understanding on ending the war.
"This morning's attack on Beirut should not have happened, particularly on a special day when we are so close to a Peace Deal with Iran," U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social.
"We are very close to a Deal that will bring peace to the region, including to Lebanon, and all sides should stand down," Trump said. Enditem
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