BEIRUT — Israel carried out airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, Lebanese state media and security sources said, as concerns grew over a U.S.-Iran agreement set to be formally signed on Friday that aims to end broader regional hostilities including in Lebanon.
The strikes targeted areas in the Nabatieh and Tyre districts, according to Lebanon's National News Agency. Details on casualties remained unclear immediately after the attacks.
Israeli forces have continued operations in southern Lebanon despite a reduction in violence following the announcement of the U.S.-Iran framework agreement. The pact, which both sides have said is already in effect in some respects, calls for an immediate and permanent end to military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon.
Iran has warned that continued Israeli strikes and occupation in Lebanon would violate the terms of the deal. Tehran has described the Israeli actions as a threat to the agreement, which was mediated with involvement from Pakistan and others and is scheduled for formal signing on June 19.
"The fighting in Lebanon is considered one of the biggest threats to the framework agreement," Al Jazeera reported, citing Iranian concerns.
U.S. officials have previously stated that the deal does not require an immediate Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, allowing Israel the right to defend itself against threats from Hezbollah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said forces would remain in Lebanon "for as long as necessary."
The latest strikes come amid a fragile series of ceasefires and truces in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict that began earlier in 2026. Hezbollah has rejected some prior partial agreements that did not include a full Israeli withdrawal, while accusing Israel of violations.
Lebanese authorities and Hezbollah officials have linked their positions on ceasefires to Israeli adherence. A Hezbollah official told Reuters earlier that Iran's stance on signing the U.S. memorandum was partly tied to monitoring Israeli actions in Lebanon.
G7 leaders welcomed the U.S.-Iran deal while urging a ceasefire in Lebanon, according to reports.
The broader U.S.-Iran agreement includes provisions to halt operations across fronts, reopen key shipping lanes, and provide economic measures, with a 60-day period for further negotiations toward a final truce.
As of Thursday, fighting in Lebanon had eased significantly but not stopped entirely, according to multiple reports. Israel has maintained its military presence in parts of southern Lebanon.
Lebanese Health Ministry and security sources have reported casualties from prior strikes in the conflict, though precise overall figures vary by source and attribution. Both sides have accused each other of ceasefire violations in recent weeks.
The situation remains fluid ahead of the formal signing of the U.S.-Iran memorandum.
