Iran warns Israel's Lebanon occupation violates US deal, hours before formal signing

The diplomatic ultimatum

Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the ongoing Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory constitutes a violation of the memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States. He emphasised that ending the war in Iran and Lebanon is interconnected. Araghchi warned that any further Israeli attack on Lebanon would not be accepted, according to remarks carried by Al Jazeera.

“The continuation of the Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory is a violation of the memorandum of understanding.”

The deal's fragile framework

The draft agreement between Washington and Tehran, unveiled hours earlier, explicitly calls for an end to hostilities on all regional fronts, including the Lebanese theatre and operations against Hezbollah militias. The formalisation of the deal is scheduled for Friday. Donald Trump had earlier said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be more responsible.

Violence on the ground

Despite the diplomatic breakthrough, violence continued in southern Lebanon. Four people were killed in new air raids conducted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The strikes came shortly after the announcement of the memorandum, dealing a sharp blow to international diplomacy. Iran's armed forces warned Israel of a hard response if attacks persisted, according to state media.

“From our perspective, there is a side that includes the United States and Israel, and on the other side stands Iran and Hezbollah. Ending the war in Lebanon is an integral part of ending the war entirely.”

Netanyahu's position

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already formally distanced himself from the understandings reached at the Bürgenstock summit. Iran has threatened to derail the final nuclear signature if Tel Aviv's troops do not withdraw from the Land of the Cedars. The new casualties in southern Lebanon risk becoming the first dramatic stumbling block capable of derailing the second phase of negotiations sought by Donald Trump.

“The end of the war also means the end of the occupation. Without the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the lands they occupied during this war, it cannot be said that the war has actually ended.”