Tehran: Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on June 16 that any agreement ending the war with the United States must also include the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon.
He argued that Israel’s continued presence in Lebanese territory would violate the memorandum of understanding reached between Washington and Tehran, warning that any further Israeli military action in Lebanon would be viewed as a breach of the deal.
However, Israel has indicated that it intends to maintain forces in parts of Lebanon for security reasons, creating uncertainty over the terms of the still-unpublished agreement.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the arrangement was a decision led by US President Donald Trump and that Israel would remain in a buffer zone in Lebanon for as long as necessary.
Israel’s Defence Minister said that the country will not pull back from territory it has captured in Lebanon while the interim agreement between Iran and the United States remains unresolved.
The disagreement highlights unresolved issues within the proposed peace framework, which is expected to be formally signed in Geneva. The agreement reportedly includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, lifting blockades, beginning 60 days of negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program, and discussing sanctions relief, the release of frozen Iranian assets, and reconstruction funding for Iran.
Regional officials involved in the talks said Iran pushed to include Israeli withdrawal from most occupied Lebanese territories as part of the deal. Another major issue remains Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, with discussions ongoing about whether it could be diluted, removed, or otherwise controlled under international oversight.
During the past two-and-a-half years, Israel has established control over territories in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria covering about 1,000 square kilometres, an area slightly smaller than New York City.
