Israel’s strike on Beirut on Tuesday came as senior leaders of the regional militant groups backed by Iran, known as the “axis of resistance,” were in Tehran for the inauguration ceremony of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian.
Even before the Israeli attack targeting a Hezbollah commander, Iranian military leaders were expected to meet with the militant leaders on the looming threat of war between Israel and Hezbollah.
In a statement on Tuesday, Iran’s embassy in Beirut condemned “the cowardly and criminal attack,” according to Iranian media.
The threat of a regional war could present Mr. Pezeshkian with the first major crisis of his presidency.
Iran has maintained a dual policy of averting direct engagement in all-out war while supporting a network of militant groups that have opened fronts on Israel from Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Syria.
Persons:
Masoud Pezeshkian, “, Nasser Kanaani, ”
Locations:
Beirut, Iran, Tehran, Israel, Iran’s, Lebanon, U.S, Yemen, Iraq, Syria