Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baqaie is continuing to attempt to set conditions for implementing the memorandum of understanding signed between Tehran and Washington, making clear that from Iran’s perspective, any future agreement depends on a complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory and a total halt to military activity in the country. In an interview with the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, which is close to Hezbollah, Baghaei warned that without meeting these conditions, the memorandum will lose its validity and negotiations on a final nuclear deal won’t move forward.
1+According to Baghaei, the memorandum signed with the United States includes an American commitment to guarantee Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Tehran interprets this commitment as a demand for full withdrawal of IDF forces from all Lebanese territory. “If that doesn’t happen, the memorandum of understanding is null and void,” he said, adding that a permanent agreement between the sides can only take shape after “a complete cessation of hostilities and an end to the occupation.”
The Iranian spokesman emphasized that the Lebanon issue was an integral part of the negotiations from the start, and claimed that Iran opposed any attempt to separate the different arenas in the region. “When we talk about ending the war, it needs to be on all fronts and completely,” he said. According to him, Iran made clear throughout the talks that it would not agree to a “partial end” to the fighting or to abandoning its allies in Lebanon.
1+Baghaei also addressed Lebanon’s reconstruction after the war, noting that Iran supports foreign investment in the country and sees it as a significant economic destination after restoring security stability. According to him, Tehran has played and will continue to play an active role in reconstruction efforts.
Later in his remarks, the Iranian official repeated the threat toward Washington and warned that any situation in which Israel continues to hold territory in southern Lebanon or carry out strikes on Lebanese soil will be considered a violation of the memorandum of understanding. “A final agreement will only be reached if the memorandum is fully implemented,” he said, making clear that from Iran’s perspective this means a complete halt to strikes and a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.