Iran Demands Israeli Withdrawal from Lebanon as Condition for US War Deal

Iran's top diplomat said Tuesday that a tentative deal to end the ongoing war with the United States would require Israel to withdraw from Lebanon — a condition Israel has already rejected and one that threatens to derail the agreement entirely. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Israel's continued occupation of southern Lebanon would violate the terms of the deal, saying "Without the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territories they occupied during this war, the war has not fully come to an end." However, a U.S. official speaking anonymously indicated the deal does not call for an Israeli withdrawal, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Monday that Israel would remain in Lebanon "as long as necessary."

The conflict escalated after Israel joined the United States in launching strikes on Iran on February 28, and subsequently invaded southern Lebanon after Hezbollah fired missiles across the border. Israel has since expanded its military presence to levels unseen in decades, striking targets deep inside Beirut and killing nearly 4,000 people in Lebanon, including hundreds of civilians. Though Hezbollah has been weakened, the militant group retains the ability to strike Israel, leaving questions about the effectiveness of Israel's campaign.

The disagreement over Lebanon's future underscores the broader challenge facing negotiations, which have been plagued by contradictory interpretations of the agreement. Pakistan has stated the deal calls for an end to military operations, including in Lebanon, while Iran insists on a complete Israeli withdrawal. The Israeli ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, told NPR that the apparent inclusion of Lebanon in the agreement is "unnecessary and unhelpful." As of Tuesday, Netanyahu had not reviewed the memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran, and Israeli officials have not requested to see it.

U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters Tuesday that he was "not happy with the way Israel has handled themselves with Lebanon and with Hezbollah," suggesting public friction between the allies over Israel's strategy. The previous negotiations have resulted only in a prolonged but uneasy ceasefire that has failed to develop into a permanent end to hostilities, leaving the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global energy supplies, effectively shut.

Switzerland's foreign ministry announced that a signing ceremony for the deal will take place Friday at the Bürgenstock resort near Lucerne, with the location proposed by Pakistani and Qatari mediators along with the U.S. and Iran. The fundamental disagreement over Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon threatens to either sink the agreement or necessitate significant compromises that may prove unacceptable to one or more parties.