Iran warns Israel’s Beirut strike could derail U.S. deal

A drone strike on northern Israel set off a chain reaction Sunday: Israel hit Hezbollah targets in Beirut in retaliation, and Iran is now threatening to strike back.Why it matters: The escalation lands hours before the the U.S. and Iran are supposed to sign a deal to end their war, and now Iranian officials have signaled Israel's attack could scuttle the agreement. A similar strike last week led to Iran launching missiles at Israel and a day of escalation between the two countries. Driving the news: On Sunday morning, Hezbollah launched several drones at northern Israel. Hours later, Israel struck a Hezbollah command center in Beirut, the IDF said. Israel's strikes killed at least one person and wounded four. Israeli officials said the target was Hezbollah's military telecommunications chief. Behind the scenes: The Israeli military notified the U.S. Central Command shortly before the Beirut strike, Israeli and U.S. officials say.It is not clear whether the White House gave it a green light.What they are saying: Iranian chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf signaled the Israeli strike on Beirut could undermine the U.S.–Iran deal. "The Zionist aggression on Dahieh has once again shown that America either does not have the will or the ability to fulfill its obligations. You cannot gain concessions by giving the regime [Israel] a green light. The good cop, bad cop routine has become old. If you do not have the will or the ability to fulfill your commitments, then there is no basis for talking about continuing down this path," said Ghalibaf who is also Iran's speaker of parliament. What to watch: The deputy commander of the Iranian armed forces' emergency headquarters Gen. Mohammed Jafar Asadi said the Israeli attack on Beirut "will not go unanswered".The IDF chief of staff told northern commanders Israel is prepared for developments on other fronts.