Iran calls pager explosions in Lebanon 'terrorist act,' blames Israel

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the allegedly coordinated explosions of hundreds of pagers in Lebanon on Tuesday, calling it a "terrorist act" and blaming Israel.

In a conversation with his Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib, Iran's top diplomat expressed his condolences and offered support, the Foreign Ministry in Tehran said. Iran's ambassador to Lebanon was injured in the incident but is not in critical condition, Iranian media reported.

In a separate telephone conversation, Araghchi asked about the wife of the injured ambassador and about his condition.

In the explosions of pagers across several regions but mostly in Hezbollah-controlled areas, some 2,800 people were injured and nine people were killed. Among the injured were numerous members of the pro-Iranian Shiite organization Hezbollah.

Hezbollah held Israel responsible for the act and announced retaliation.