Fire and smoke rose from Beirut’s southern suburbs, which have been the focus of Israeli airstrikes. The IDF says the area contains Hezbollah targets.

But even as he did so, Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, was in Beirut, appearing eager to convey Iran’s readiness to support a joint cease-fire in Lebanon and in Gaza. The contrasting diplomacy and defiance spotlighted Iran’s efforts to assert its regional power while limiting damage to its land and people.