Iran says end of war requires Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon

Iran’s top diplomat warned Tuesday that the agreement ending the war with the United States would also require Israel to withdraw from Lebanon.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the statement to diplomats from other countries in remarks broadcast by Iranian state television.

In his view, Israel’s continued occupation of southern Lebanon would constitute a violation of the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran.

“The end of the war in Lebanon is an integral part of the complete end of the war,” said Mr. Araghchi.

“Without the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territories they occupied during this war, the war is not fully over,” he added.

Mr. Araghchi warned that further Israeli attacks on Lebanon “will be considered by us as a violation of the memorandum of understanding.”

This exit by the head of Iranian diplomacy raised questions about the agreement which has still not been made public and whether disagreements over its terms could prolong the conflict.

The United States did not specify whether Lebanon was part of the final agreement. But Mr. Araghchi’s view appears to run counter to statements made by Israeli officials about the deal.

Israel is not party to this agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed Monday that Israel had its own priorities and would remain in a buffer zone in Lebanon “as long as necessary.”

This ambiguity reflects the evolution of past negotiations, notably the temporary ceasefire negotiated in April. This agreement did not pave the way for broader peace or the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz after the United States and Iran announced divergent frameworks.

This divergence has highlighted the extent of the points of the agreement which apparently remain unresolved in the run-up to the signing ceremony, which is scheduled for Friday in Geneva.

The agreement aims to bring about a meaningful truce in a months-long war that has left thousands dead across the Middle East.

According to what a senior American official revealed on Monday, the agreement, which has not yet been made public, provides for the “immediate” opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of the blockade.

This official spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity to discuss the main points of the agreement.

The pact would also include the possibility of unlocking Iran’s frozen funds, easing sanctions and creating a US$300 billion fund for Iran’s reconstruction.

However, all these measures are conditional on Iran’s compliance with certain criteria, said a second senior American official, also speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the broad outlines of the agreement.