Iran demands Israel withdraw from Lebanon as condition
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- Abbas Araghchi said Israel's continued occupation of southern Lebanon would violate the US-Iran deal: "Without the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territories they occupied during this war, the war has not fully come to an end."
- Netanyahu said Israel would remain in Lebanon "as long as necessary," and a US official said the deal did not call for an Israeli withdrawal — directly contradicting Araghchi's interpretation.
- Pakistan, a key mediator, backed Iran's reading, saying the deal called for an end to military operations including in Lebanon, while two regional officials told AP it would require Israel to leave nearly all occupied territory except a few border hilltop points.
- Trump said he was "not happy with the way Israel has handled themselves with Lebanon" and warned Israel's campaign "throws a negative light on the big deal"; he also said he'd consider sending the agreement to Congress for review, drawing skepticism from Republican lawmakers.
- The unpublished deal provides for the immediate opening of the Strait of Hormuz, simultaneous lifting of the US blockade of Iranian ports, 60 days of nuclear negotiations, possible release of frozen Iranian funds, and a $300 billion reconstruction fund tied to Tehran meeting certain benchmarks.
- Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed nearly 4,000 people and displaced more than 1 million; Hezbollah is weakened but retains the ability to strike Israel, and Israel has expanded its military footprint to levels unseen in decades.
- G7 leaders from France, Germany, Italy, and the UK issued a joint statement congratulating the US and Iran on a "diplomatic breakthrough" and said quick implementation was vital ahead of the planned Friday signing in Geneva.
Why it matters: The deal's survival now depends on resolving a direct contradiction: Iran insists Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon is a condition, Netanyahu refuses to leave, and a US official says withdrawal isn't required. With nearly 4,000 dead in Lebanon, the Strait of Hormuz effectively shut, and a ceremonial signing planned for Friday, failure to bridge this gap could collapse the agreement and restart full-scale war.
