Hezbollah conflict

Iran has raised a major new condition for its proposed peace agreement with the United States, insisting that Israeli forces must withdraw from southern Lebanon for the deal to fully take effect.

Speaking on Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Israel’s continued military presence in Lebanese territory would violate the spirit of the agreement and prevent the conflict from truly ending.

“Without the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territories they occupied during this war, the war has not fully come to an end,” Araghchi stated.

The demand introduces fresh uncertainty ahead of a planned signing ceremony on Friday in Switzerland for the U.S.-Iran agreement, which is intended to formally end months of conflict between the two countries.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already rejected the idea of a withdrawal, saying Israel will remain in Lebanon “as long as necessary.” A U.S. official familiar with the negotiations also indicated that the draft agreement does not explicitly require Israel to leave Lebanese territory.

Although Israel is not a direct party to the U.S.-Iran agreement, it has played a central role in the conflict. Israel joined U.S. military operations against Iran earlier this year and has continued fighting the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement in Lebanon while expanding its military presence in parts of the country.

The disagreement highlights the fragile nature of the proposed ceasefire, which aims to end a conflict that has destabilized the Middle East, disrupted global energy markets, and left the strategically important Strait of Hormuz largely closed.

Pakistan and Qatar, which have served as key mediators in the negotiations, reportedly supported provisions calling for an end to military operations throughout the region, including Lebanon. According to regional officials familiar with the talks, Iran pushed strongly during the final stages of negotiations to ensure Lebanon was included in any broader settlement.

The issue places Israel in a difficult position as it seeks to weaken Hezbollah while maintaining close coordination with the United States, its most important ally. Israeli operations in Lebanon have expanded significantly during the conflict, with strikes reaching deep into Beirut and other parts of the country.

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration with Israel’s approach to Lebanon, suggesting the ongoing military campaign risks undermining the broader peace effort.

“It just goes on forever,” Trump said, adding that continued fighting casts “a negative light on the big deal” being negotiated with Iran.

The proposed agreement includes provisions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, lifting restrictions on Iranian ports, and launching a 60-day negotiation process focused on Iran’s nuclear program. Discussions are also expected to address sanctions relief, the release of frozen Iranian assets, and international oversight of Tehran’s nuclear activities.

Questions remain over how Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium will be handled and who will verify compliance with any future nuclear commitments. Iranian officials have signaled a willingness to discuss options for reducing or removing the material, though resistance from hard-line factions within the country could complicate those efforts.

Despite the unresolved issues, major Western powers have welcomed the framework. Leaders of France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom described the agreement as a diplomatic breakthrough and urged all parties to implement it quickly.

With the planned signing ceremony approaching, negotiators continue working to resolve disagreements that could determine whether the ceasefire evolves into a lasting peace or collapses into renewed conflict.