Araghchi told reporters during a trip to Lisbon that Iran welcomed Tuesday's ceasefire agreement in Lebanon and hoped it could lead to a permanent ceasefire. The ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah came into effect on Wednesday under an agreement brokered by the United States and France.

Israeli airstrikes are hitting Lebanon with airstrikes as negotiations progress toward a ceasefire between the country and Lebanon-based Hezbollah militants.

By Maayan Lubell, Maya Gebeily and Laila Bassam JERUSALEM/BEIRUT (Reuters) -Israel mounted waves of pounding airstrikes in Beirut on Tuesday as its security cabinet was due to discuss a ceasefire deal with its Hezbollah foes that could take effect as soon as Wednesday.

Israel launched a new wave of extensive airstrikes that hit the area of Tayouneh on the outskirts of Beirut's southern suburbs, on Tuesday. The airstrikes come ahead of an expected cease-fire to end the 13-month war between Israel and Hezbollah.

The strikes, which destroyed an eight-story building and left a crater in the ground, were the fourth in Beirut in less than a week.

The agreement halts fighting between Israel and Hezbollah for 60 days, as negotiators aim to stop Lebanon’s deadliest war in decades.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday he was ready to implement a ceasefire deal with Lebanon and would "respond forcefully to any violation" by Hezbollah. In a television address,