Iran's top negotiator threatens US targets over Lebanon escalation

The comments from Iran's Parliament speaker follow Israeli attacks on Beirut, a stronghold of ally Hezbollah

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf meets with Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, in Tehran, Iran, May 17, 2026. Hamed Malekpour/Iranian Parliament Speaker Office/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS

The US naval blockade of Iran and its green light on Sunday for Israel to escalate attacks in Lebanon make US bases and Israeli assets in West Asia legitimate targets, Iran's top negotiator said in a post on X.

The comments from Iran's Parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, follow Israeli attacks on the southern suburbs of Lebanon's capital, a stronghold of Iran's ally Hezbollah.

"They are neither committed to a ceasefire nor believe in dialogue, and through the naval blockade and violation of agreements regarding Lebanon they showed that they only understand the language of power," Qalibaf said in an apparent reference to the US and Israel.