Iran's top diplomat stated on Tuesday that a tentative deal to end the war with the United States would require Israel to withdraw from Lebanon, a condition that Israel has already rejected and could potentially collapse the agreement, leading to a full-scale resumption of hostilities. The deal, brokered between the U.S.
and Iran, has not been made public, and officials have offered conflicting interpretations of its terms. Although Israel is not a signatory to the agreement, it is deeply involved in the conflict: it joined the U.S.
in launching strikes on Iran on February 28 and has since been fighting the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon, seizing large portions of that country. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi asserted that Israel's continued occupation of southern Lebanon would violate the deal.
“Without the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territories they occupied during this war, the war has not fully come to an end,” Araghchi said.
Pakistan, a key mediator, has indicated that the deal calls for an end to military operations, including in Lebanon, as Iran had long insisted. However, Araghchi's demand for a withdrawal adds a new layer of complexity.
A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the agreement does not require an Israeli withdrawal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Monday that Israel would remain in Lebanon “as long as necessary.” The negotiations have been plagued by such disagreements before, resulting in an uneasy ceasefire that has failed to evolve into a permanent peace and has left the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global energy supplies, effectively closed.
The discrepancy highlights how much of the agreement remains unresolved ahead of a planned ceremonial signing on Friday in Geneva. The agreement is intended to provide a meaningful truce in a months-long war that has killed thousands across the Middle East, including top leaders of Iran's theocracy, and has driven up prices of fuel, food, and other essentials far beyond the region.
The unpublished agreement provides for the “immediate” reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and lifting of the blockade, according to a senior U.S. official.
Brokered mainly by Pakistan, it begins with the simultaneous lifting of Iran's closure of the strait and the U.S. blockade of Iran's ports, according to Pakistani officials.
It also includes the possibility of releasing Iran's frozen funds and a $300 billion fund to help rebuild Iran if Tehran meets certain benchmarks. President Donald Trump later said the United States would not “invest” funds in Iran.
Araghchi's comments appear to align with the understanding of two regional officials with direct knowledge of the interim deal. They said it would require Israel to leave nearly all the territory it occupies in Lebanon, minus a few hilltop points along the border.
Iran insisted the accord include Lebanon in the last days of negotiations. The release of frozen Iranian assets is tied to Tehran implementing the deal.
Gulf Arab states have also pledged to inject billions of dollars into Iran's economy. Beyond Lebanon, another point of contention is Iran's nuclear program.
The interim deal begins a 60-day clock for talks over Tehran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Iran has agreed to discuss ways to possibly “dilute or remove” its stockpile, but it remains unclear whether Tehran will agree to that, especially with hard-liners opposing giving it up.
World leaders gathered in France for the first full day of the Group of Seven summit, where Iran was high on the agenda. Scheduled discussions include a work session focused on “ending crises and ensuring stability in the Middle East.” Leaders of Egypt, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates are to join the talks.
Trump has clashed with European leaders over not consulting them before going to war with Iran. Even so, leaders are expected to strike a measured tone as they seek ways to ease the economic fallout from rising oil prices caused by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump told reporters on Tuesday that he is “not happy with the way Israel has handled themselves with Lebanon and with Hezbollah.” He said of Israel's strategy, “It just goes on forever. And when that happens, it throws a negative light on the big deal.
And that's the deal with Iran.” Ahead of their meeting, the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement congratulating the United States, the Iranian government, and the mediators on what they called a “diplomatic breakthrough.” Canada also signed the statement. The leaders said it is vital for detailed negotiations to take place and for the deal to be quickly implemented so the Strait of Hormuz can be reopened to tanker traffic.