Iran today said that the deal to end the war with the United States would also require Israel to withdraw from Lebanon.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Israel’s continued occupation of southern Lebanon would violate the Memorandum of Understanding reached between the United States and Iran.
The United States has not clarified whether Lebanon is part of the final agreement.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday described the agreement as US President Donald Trump’s decision, noting that Israel had its own priorities and would remain in a buffer zone in Lebanon as long as necessary.
Iran’s foreign minister said any Israeli forces remaining in southern Lebanon, or any Israeli strikes on the country, would constitute a violation of the U.S.-Iran deal. Israeli officials said Monday that troops would stay in Lebanon, as “Trump’s agreement does not bind us.”
A signing ceremony is expected Friday in Switzerland to formalize the memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran, which should spark a second phase of direct talks on the future of Iran’s nuclear program and other contentious issues.
