Iran's foreign minister says a lasting ceasefire depends on Israeli forces leaving Lebanese territory, as concerns mount over diplomatic efforts.
4:25 PM
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Monday that a peace deal with the United States would require Israel to withdraw from Lebanon, signaling a potential obstacle to diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the broader Middle East conflict.
"Without the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territories they occupied during this war, the war has not fully come to an end," Araghchi said, according to reports.
The statement comes as the United States and Iran have reached a memorandum of understanding, with officials from both countries, along with Pakistan acting as mediator, confirming the agreement. The deal is expected to be signed in Geneva on June 19.
However, a high-ranking US source told Israeli television N12 that Israeli troop withdrawal from Southern Lebanon is not included in the US-Iranian agreement. "The withdrawal of troops from Lebanon is not a part of the agreement," the official said, according to the report.
The source added that Israel retains the right to self-defense and retaliatory strikes if Hezbollah attacks. "If [Hezbollah] attacks, Israel has the right to self-defense and retaliatory strikes," the official stated.
According to Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, the agreement includes a 60-day ceasefire during which the sides will discuss Iran's nuclear program. US maritime blockade measures against Iran are set to end from June 15, and military operations on all fronts are to cease under the terms being negotiated.
Israeli and Lebanese officials said Wednesday that Israel is weighing a pause in fighting against Hezbollah, though formal approval remains pending.
A 10-day truce between Israel and Hezbollah began Friday, displacing over one million Lebanese residents and complicating Netanyahu's political position domestically.
President Trump said Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend their ceasefire by three weeks following White House talks with representatives from both countries.
Iranian officials halted indirect negotiations with the United States, citing continued Israeli military operations in Lebanon and Gaza as violations of ceasefire terms.
Israeli military strikes kill at least five people in southern Lebanon and issue forced displacement orders, citing Hezbollah ceasefire violations.
Israeli forces captured territory north of the Litani River over the weekend. Netanyahu cited Hezbollah ceasefire violations in ordering attacks on Dahieh suburb.
