Iran's top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, announced that a tentative deal to end the war with the United States would necessitate Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon. This condition, however, has already been rejected by Israel, posing a significant hurdle to a final peace agreement. While the deal is between the U.S. and Iran, Israel has been a participant in the war, joining U.S. strikes against Iran on February 28, and actively engaging Hezbollah in Lebanon, occupying large swathes of the country.
Contradictory interpretations of the deal have emerged, as a U.S. official, speaking anonymously, stated that the agreement does not include an Israeli withdrawal. In contrast, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has affirmed that Israel will remain in Lebanon "as long as necessary." These disagreements have led to previous impasses in negotiations, resulting in an uneasy ceasefire rather than a permanent end to hostilities and keeping the Strait of Hormuz effectively shut. Pakistan, a key mediator, had previously indicated that the deal called for an end to military operations, including those in Lebanon, aligning with Iran's long-standing demands.
Araghchi's comments on Tuesday align with the understanding of two regional officials who indicated that the interim deal would require Israel to vacate nearly all occupied territories in Lebanon, with the exception of a few border hilltops. Despite this, Israel has continued its operations against Hezbollah and has maintained a military presence in southern Lebanon. The U.S. and Iran are working to finalize a framework agreement aimed at ending months of conflict and paving the way for broader regional discussions.
