Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that the conflict will cease “only when it ends in Lebanon as well.”
“The end of the war on Lebanon must be accompanied by the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territories they have occupied,” Araghchi said, as per Reuters.
Mohsen Rezaei, an adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, was quoted as having said, “Today we again warn this sinister regime to leave Lebanon. They should know that Lebanon will be an inseparable part of any agreement and any ceasefire. He added that Hezbollah “made great sacrifices in the recent war and it is our ally. Therefore, we support Hezbollah and remain firmly committed to our obligations toward it.”
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned Iran’s use of the country for negotiations.
In an interview with CNN, Aoun addressed Iran and said, “It’s not your country, it’s our country.” He accused Iran of “using Lebanon as a bargaining chip in their negotiation with US.”
“You are not trying to help us. The people of Lebanon are paying the price for the sake of your own interest.” He added, “Our interests do not coincide with your interests.”
President Trump has attempted to facilitate peace between Israel and Hezbollah. “I had a very productive call with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, of Israel, and there will be no Troops going to Beirut, and any Troops that are on their way, have already been turned back,” he wrote in a Truth Social post. “Likewise, through highly placed Representatives, I had a very good call with Hezbollah, and they agreed that all shooting will stop — That Israel will not attack them, and they will not attack Israel.”
He later told The New York Post’s “Pod Force One” podcast, when asked about his reported heated discussion with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that while he would not describe his demeanor during the conversation as having been “angry,” he acknowledged he was “a little bit perturbed at his constantly fighting with Lebanon.”
