Tensions in the Middle East deepened as Iran warned the US and Israel of the consequences following the airstrike in Beirut

Prospects for fragile peace in the Middle East suffered another setback on Sunday after Iran issued new threats against the United States and Israel following an Israeli airstrike in Beirut, as the regional conflict entered its 100th day.

The latest escalation comes amid stalled diplomatic efforts to turn a temporary ceasefire into a long-term solution, while the protracted conflict continues to unsettle global markets and increase political pressure on US President Donald Trump ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.

Iran has consistently maintained that any comprehensive agreement to end the broader conflict must also address similar hostilities in Lebanon, where Israeli forces have targeted positions linked to the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.

In recent days, Tehran has warned that any new attack on Beirut would lead to what it described as a “massive resumption of hostilities”.

The warning came back after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that Israeli troops had carried out an attack on the southern outskirts of Beirut.

According to the statement, the military “just attacked a militant command center in the Dahiyeh district of Beirut, in response to Hezbollah fire into Israeli territory.”

Although gunfire between Israel and Hezbollah continues along the border, attacks in Beirut’s southern districts have been relatively rare since mid-April despite threats and counter-threats from both sides.

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Responding to the attack, the speaker of Iran’s parliament and chief negotiator in discussions with Washington, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, accused the United States of supporting the operation.

This and the ongoing US blockade of Iranian ports, he said, “turns American and (Israeli) regime bases and assets in the region into legitimate targets. Our armed forces are, as always, free to act.”

Another senior Iranian official, Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesman for parliament’s national security commission, also issued a warning of retaliation.

He threatened a “firm and painful response”.

“These mad dogs must be disciplined… Look at the sky above the occupied land tonight,” he said, referring to Israeli territory.

Iran’s insistence on linking developments in Lebanon to broader negotiations with Washington has complicated diplomatic efforts. In a taped interview broadcast earlier on Sunday, President Trump urged Israel to adopt what he described as a “more surgical” approach to military operations in Lebanon.

As military tensions escalate, many Iranians have voiced frustration over the economic impact of the protracted crisis.

A fitness trainer from Ahvaz identified as Elaheh described the increasing difficulties and uncertainty affecting ordinary citizens.

“I was completely numb.”

“Daily life? It’s just a joke. Everything is terrible. We’re just trying to survive,” added the 32-year-old, pointing to rising prices.

Another resident, Farhad, a 35-year-old chef, said worsening economic conditions made daily life increasingly difficult.

“Things that a few months ago you might have considered buying have now become dreams and fairy tales,” he told AFP.

Despite rising tensions, diplomatic contacts continued over the weekend.

Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, arrived in Tehran and said he was carrying a message from Pakistan’s military and government leadership.

Naqvi said upon arrival there on Saturday that he would deliver a “special letter” from Pakistan’s military chief to Iran’s supreme leader, as well as a message from the prime minister, according to Iranian state television.

Pakistan’s military chief, Syed Asim Munir, reportedly played a key role in efforts to facilitate communications between Tehran and Washington following direct talks previously held in Islamabad.

At the same time, Lebanese Army Commander Rodolphe Haykal traveled to Pakistan for separate discussions. According to sources familiar with the visit, the talks were “related to Pakistani mediation” between Tehran and Washington.

Signs of progress in negotiations also appeared limited.

Iran’s supreme leader’s military adviser, Mohsen Rezaei, told CNN that negotiations with Washington were deadlocked.

He said talks with the US were “at an impasse, and Trump must break this impasse”, and called for the release of about $24 billion worth of frozen Iranian assets.

However, Trump rejected the notion that the funds would be disbursed before an agreement was reached.

“(That) happens after. If they behave, if they do their job well, we start talking,” he said.

Reports also suggest that Washington may consider using some of the frozen funds to help offset damage caused by Iran’s attacks on its regional allies, according to sources familiar with discussions involving US Treasury Department officials.

Meanwhile, the military situation in the region is still volatile. US Central Command said its forces destroyed two Iranian drones overnight after determining they posed a threat to international shipping in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

The incident follows previous US interceptions of Iranian drones and attacks on Iranian radar installations, actions Tehran cited when it launched missile attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait on Saturday, further raising fears of a wider regional confrontation.