Israel pounded Lebanon with its heaviest strikes yet yesterday, killing hundreds of people and drawing a threat of retaliation from Iran, which said the attacks violated a ceasefire deal agreed with the US a day earlier.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that any potential negotiations with the United States would focus solely on Tehran’s nuclear issue.

US President Donald Trump's plan to rename the Persian Gulf is indicative of hostile intent toward Iran and its people, and are firmly condemned, said Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday.