Iran's Foreign Minister Makes Diplomatic Push for Gaza and Lebanon Ceasefires Amid Regional Tensions

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has renewed calls for a ceasefire in both Gaza and Lebanon, following a recent escalation in violence involving Israeli-backed Hamas and Iran's Lebanese ally, Hezbollah. Araghchi's visit to Damascus comes nearly a year after the Israeli-Hamas conflict began, and his presence in Beirut has been seen as a show of support for Lebanon and its Shi'ite community. Iran's foreign minister vowed to support Tehran's "friends" in Lebanon, while Israel's military spokesman warned that Iran would face consequences for its recent missile barrage against Israel. Araghchi's visit to Lebanon follows meetings with Gulf country leaders in Qatar earlier in the week, where he emphasized Iran's strong ties to Lebanon and its solidarity with the Lebanese people amidst the Israeli military's attacks on Hezbollah-controlled areas.